Patent Application
20080077106
The present invention relates to tampons that include an asymmetric insertion end and a finger pocket. Such a tampon design can improve steering and comfort during insertion, reduce the deflection of the tampon during insertion, improve placement of the tampon relative to the flow path of the menstrual discharges (i.e., more centered placement of the tampon within the vagina), and/or provide improved interception of the menstrual discharge by the tampon. By improving placement and reducing deflection of the tampon, early failure leakage can be reduced. Insertion comfort can also be improved by reducing a feeling of resistance or push-back during insertion of the tampon.
As used herein, the term “tampon” refers to any type of absorbent structure, such as, e.g., an absorbent mass, that can be inserted into the vaginal canal or other body cavity, such as, e.g., for the absorption of fluid therefrom, to aid in wound healing, and/or for the delivery of materials, such as moisture or active materials such as medicaments. In general, the term “tampon” is used to refer to a finished tampon after the compression and/or shaping process.
As used herein, the term “pledget” refers to an absorbent material prior to the compression and/or shaping of the material into a tampon. Pledgets are sometimes referred to as tampon blanks or softwinds.
As used herein, the term “vaginal canal” refers to the internal genitalia of the human female in the pudendal region of the body. The terms “vaginal canal” or “within the vagina” as used herein are intended to refer to the space located between the introitus of the vagina (sometimes referred to as the sphincter of the vagina) and the cervix.
The term “digital tampon” refers to a tampon which is intended to be inserted into the vaginal canal with the user's finger and generally without the aid of an applicator.
The “total length of the tampon” refers to the length of the tampon beginning at the insertion edge and ending at the withdrawal edge. The total length of the tampon generally does not include the length of any overwrap, secondary absorbent member, or withdrawal cord that extends beyond the main absorbent material ending at the withdrawal edge.
The term “insertion edge” refers to the edge containing the absolute end of the insertion end of the tampon, which is intended to enter the vaginal canal first when inserting the tampon. The phrase “insertion end” refers to the end of the tampon, beginning with the insertion edge.
As used herein, the term “asymmetric insertion end” refers to an insertion end of a tampon that is asymmetric about the X axis.
As used herein, the term “X axis” “refers to an axis in a tampon that has a direction generally aligned with a direction of insertion of the tampon and that includes a geometric centroid of the tampon (i.e., a longitudinal “center line” in the tampon).
The “Y axis” and the “Z axis” are axes in a tampon that run perpendicular to the “X axis” and run perpendicular to each other.
As used herein, the term “withdrawal edge” refers to the edge containing the absolute end of the withdrawal end. The phrase “withdrawal end” refers to the end of the tampon opposite the insertion end that begins with the withdrawal edge, and that is intended to exit the vaginal canal first when the tampon is removed from the vagina.
As used herein, the term “center region” refers to the portion of the tampon located between the insertion end and the withdrawal end.
As used herein, the term “tapered” refers to a gradually narrowing portion of a tampon. For example, an insertion end can be “tapered” when the insertion end or a portion thereof has a plurality of gradually decreasing perimeters approaching the insertion edge.
As used herein, the term “superior surface of the vagina” refers to the surface of the vagina that generally faces toward the bladder. The “inferior surface of the vagina” is the surface of the vagina that generally faces toward the bowel.
The tampon of the present invention comprises an asymmetric insertion end, such as, e.g., a tampon that is formed to comprise an asymmetric insertion end, and a finger pocket. In certain embodiments, the tampon comprises a compressed form that is substantially symmetrical, such as, e.g., substantially cylindrical, and an insertion end that is formed to be asymmetric around the X axis. The tampon can comprise a substantially symmetrical, such as, for example, a substantially cylindrical, center region and withdrawal end, and an insertion end that is asymmetric around the X axis.
An asymmetric insertion end can be any shape suitable for improving placement of the tampon within the vagina as compared to currently available substantially cylindrical tampons that have a symmetrically formed insertion end. Suitable shapes of the asymmetric end include, for example, shapes similar to the shape of a lipstick tip, a chisel, a pillow, a slot screwdriver, a shovel, a shoehorn, or a beak.
In certain embodiments, a tampon comprising an asymmetric insertion end can reduce the deflection of the tampon around the cervix during insertion and can, for example, make more of the tampon available in the flow path of the menstrual discharges from the cervix. This can provide improved interception of the menstrual discharges and can reduce the likelihood of early failure. A tampon comprising an asymmetric insertion end can provide improved insertion comfort by reducing a feeling of resistance or a push-back during insertion of the tampon.
In certain embodiments, orientation of the insertion end during insertion of the tampon of the present invention can be controlled such that a side of the insertion end, such as, e.g., a side that has a smaller angle to the X axis than any other side of the insertion end, and/or a side comprising a face that is angled, can generally face the superior surface of the vagina. In the case of a digital insertion, controlled orientation can be instructed to the users. The orientation can also or alternatively be achieved by any suitable design of the tampon to facilitate proper orientation of the tampon on the user's finger, such as, e.g., an angled-cut withdrawal end; indentation, recess, and/or pocket in the withdrawal end; an angled-cut finger cover; or any other suitable design.
A finger pocket of the present invention can be an indentation, a recess, a pocket, and/or a cavity formed in the withdrawal end of the tampon. A finger pocket can be open to the withdrawal edge of the tampon. Typically, a user can place a finger in the pocket to drive the tampon for insertion. In certain embodiments, a finger pocket can allow more precise steering and/or placement of the tampon. The finger pocket can be hidden when the tampon is purchased and can appear once the user opens and/or prepares the tampon for insertion, for example, at the moment of removing part of the wrapper, at least partially extending the withdrawal cord, and/or flaring and/or loosening the withdrawal end of the tampon.
The opening of the finger pocket can be any suitable size, such as, for example, a size appropriate for positioning a portion of a user's finger within the finger pocket. In certain embodiments, the opening of the finger pocket can have a diameter that is equal to that of the withdrawal edge of the tampon. The finger pocket can alternatively have a diameter that is less than the withdrawal edge of the tampon. For example, the finger pocket can have a diameter that is about 90%, about 80%, about 70%, about 60%, about 50%, or less, of the diameter of the tampon.
The depth of the finger pocket can be any depth suitable for allowing positioning of a portion of a user's finger within the finger pocket. Suitable depths include, for example, about 5 mm, about 10 mm, about 15 mm, or any other suitable depth. In certain embodiments, the user can adjust the depth, such as, e.g., by flaring the withdrawal end and/or by moving the cord and/or the excess of the overwrap that has been pulled out of the cavity.
The tampon's total length can be measured from the insertion end to the withdrawal end along the X axis. In certain embodiments, a typical tampon for human use can be generally about 10 to about 16 millimeters wide and about 30 to about 60 millimeters long, often depending on absorbency, but can be any suitable width and length. For other mammals, typical tampon dimensions can vary based on differences in their particular vaginal canal geometry.
In certain embodiments, the insertion end can begin at the insertion edge and can end about ⅓ the total length of the tampon along the X axis from the insertion edge. Thus, the total length of the insertion end can be about ⅓ the total length of the tampon. The insertion end can be any suitable length, such as, e.g., about 1/10, about ⅛, about ⅕, about ⅓, or about ½ of the total length of the tampon. As the length of the insertion end varies, the length of the center region and/or withdrawal end can vary accordingly. In certain embodiments, the withdrawal end can begin about ⅔ of the total length of the tampon along the X axis from the insertion edge and can terminate at the withdrawal edge. The withdrawal end can be any suitable length, such as, e.g., about 1/10, about ⅛, about ⅕, about ⅓, or about ½ of the total length of the tampon.
The tampon and any component thereof can comprise a single material or a combination of materials. The materials for the tampon can be formed into a fabric, web, or batt that is suitable for use in the tampon by any suitable process such as, for example, airlaying, carding, wetlaying, hydroentangling, or other known techniques.
The tampon can be formed from a pledget that can be constructed from a wide variety of liquid-absorbing materials suitable for use in absorbent articles. Such materials include, for example, rayon (such as GALAXY rayon (a tri-lobed rayon) or DANUFIL rayon (a round rayon), both available from Kelheim Fibres GmbH of Kelheim. Germany), cotton, folded tissues, woven materials, nonwoven webs, synthetic and/or natural fibers or sheeting, comminuted wood pulp, which is generally referred to as airfelt, foams, or combinations of these materials. Examples of other suitable materials include: creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including coform; chemically stiffened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers such as crimped polyester fibers; peat moss; foam; tissue including tissue wraps and tissue laminates; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials, or mixtures of these. Additionally, superabsorbent materials, such as superabsorbent polymers or absorbent gelling materials can be incorporated into the tampon.
The pledget can be any suitable shape, size, material, or construction prior to compression and/or shaping. For example, the pledget can include a rolled, tubed, or flat construction of an absorbent that can be a circle, an oval, a semi-circle, a triangle, a chevron shape, an H shape, a bow-tie shape, or any other suitable shape, such as, e.g., shapes described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,738,364; 5,911,712; 6,740,070; 6,887,266; and 6,953,456.
In certain embodiments, the tampons can be generally “self-sustaining” in that they will generally retain their general shape and size before use. The tampon pledget can be compressed and/or shaped to form a self-sustaining tampon that has a predetermined shape and/or size prior to packaging and/or use, such as, for example, an asymmetric insertion end. In certain embodiments, the self-sustaining tampons typically can be substantially rigid prior to use.
In certain embodiments, the tampon can be formed to have an asymmetric insertion end. For example, the tampon can be compressed or otherwise constructed such that the tampon includes an asymmetric insertion end prior to packaging the tampon, such as, for example, in an applicator and/or a wrapper, and/or prior to purchasing and/or use by a consumer. In certain embodiments, the center region and/or withdrawal end of the tampon can be compressed into a substantially cylindrical configuration, however, other shapes are possible. These can include shapes having a cross section or cross-section element that can be described as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, semi-circular, hourglass, or other suitable shapes.
In certain embodiments, the tampon can be a tampon having a radially compressed rolled construction. The tampon can be constructed by rolling and radially compressing a pledget. The pledget can be rolled around a mandrel then compressed with or without the mandrel. In certain embodiments, a cavity left behind after the mandrel is removed can provide a finger pocket. The tampon can also be constructed by pressing a pledget, such as, for example, a cylindrical pledget, in forming dies with a pushrod. A finger pocket can be formed in part of the blank pressed against a convex in the forming dies or the pushrod. The withdrawal cord can be at least partially disposed in the cavity before compression. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the cord can stick out of the withdrawal end of the finished tampon.
Withdrawal cords useful in the present invention can be made of any suitable material, such as, e.g., cotton and rayon. In certain embodiments, the withdrawal cord can extend from the withdrawal end and can be at least partially disposed in the finger pocket prior to insertion of the tampon. The withdrawal cord can be at least partially displaced from the finger pocket when the user prepares the tampon for insertion. In certain embodiments, the withdrawal cord can be joined with part of the tampon wrapper so that it can be deployed automatically when at least part of the wrapper is removed. A joint between the withdrawal cord and the wrapper can have strength such that the joint is maintained during the deployment of the withdrawal cord and breaks off when the withdrawal cord is at least partially extended. In certain embodiments, the joint can be maintained during the deployment of the withdrawal cord and breaks off when the withdrawal cord is fully extended.
The tampon can also or alternatively include one or more overwraps. The overwrap can be any suitable material, such as, for example, rayon, cotton, bicomponent fibers, polyethylene, polypropylene, other suitable natural or synthetic fibers known in the art, and mixtures thereof. In certain embodiments, the tampon can comprise an overwrap material that substantially encloses the compressed tampon.
In certain embodiments, the overwrap can extend from the withdrawal end of the tampon. The excess of the overwrap can be tucked in the finger pocket. The excess overwrap can be pulled out of the finger pocket to provide a finger cover or an absorbent skirt when the user prepares the tampon for insertion. In certain embodiments, the excess of the overwrap can be joined with part of the tampon wrapper so that it can be deployed automatically when the part of the wrapper is removed. A joint between the excess of the overwrap and the wrapper can have strength such that it is maintained during the deployment and then breaks to separate the overwrap and wrapper once a full spread of the excess of the overwrap is achieved. In certain embodiments, the excess of the overwrap can be joined with the cord and tucked in the finger pocket along with the cord.
The tampon can also or alternatively include a secondary absorbent member, such as, for example, a mass of secondary absorbent material attached to the withdrawal cord proximate the withdrawal end of the tampon. Suitable secondary absorbent members are described in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,258,075.
In certain embodiments, the excess of the overwrap can be joined with the cord and can be tucked in the cavity before compression. The user can deploy all of the cord, the excess overwrap, which can form a finger cover and/or an absorbent skirt, and the finger pocket at the same time when the user pulls the cord to extend it and/or removes a part of the wrapper joined with the end of the cord. Thus, the finger pocket may not be present and/or visible in the tampon initially prior to opening and/or preparation for insertion, but can appear with a certain depth once the user opens and/or prepares the tampon for insertion.
The tampons can optionally employ wrappers that conform to the outer surface of the tampon in order to visually show the consumer the tampons packaged therein. Such wrappers are particularly useful when the tampons are intended to be used digitally and/or are not housed in an applicator prior to use. The wrappers can substantially enclose each individual tampon and can be removed prior to insertion and use.
Wrappers can be made in any suitable manner. The wrapper material used can be any material suitable to be used for hygienically wrapping tampons. Suitable wrapper materials include, e.g., polymeric films made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene, PET (polyethylenetherephthalate), cellophane, polyamide, poly(vinyl chloride), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and the like; synthetic or natural (e.g. rubber) elastomers; generally occlusive materials such as metallic foils (e.g. aluminum foil); non-occlusive or porous materials, such as nonwovens, wovens, scrims, meshes and papers; or any other suitable materials. The wrapper can comprise one or more flexible polymeric films, such as, for example, films having a thickness of less than about 1 mm. Wrappers can be made and applied to the tampon using any suitable technique, including, for example, heat-shrinking, heat sealing, adhesives, pressure, stretching, lamination, coating, gluing, embossing, crimping, sewing, stitching, entangling, mechanical interlocking, cold pressure welding, ultrasonic bonding, and/or combinations thereof.
Wrappers can be provided with an opening means comprising at least one line of weakness. This opening means can prevent or reduce separation of the wrapper into more than one piece of wrapper material upon opening of the wrapper. For instance, the line of weakness can only extend around a portion of the wrapped tampon in terms of length and perimeter in order to prevent tearing-off of parts of the wrapper upon opening of the wrapper, which could result in fragmentation of the wrapper.
The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean “about 40 mm”.
All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall govern.
While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.
