US3038214A - Catamenial tampon - Google Patents

Description

June 12, 1962 E. A. GRISWOLD ETAL CATAMENIAL TAMPON Original Filed June 6, 1958 FIG. 5.

IN VEN TORS E/IELE fi. GE/SWOLD ALBERT W LEW/N6 rates This invention relates to catamenial tampons and, more particularly, to albsorbent tampons having a moisture resistant barrier at the lower or outer end thereof (when considered as in position in use) for retarding flow of menstrual fluid through or out of the tampon sufliciently for substantially complete absorption thereof by the absorbent medium in the tampon. This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 740,378, filed June 6, 1958, now Pat No. 2,998,010.

Considering as illustrative catamenial tampons for insertion into the human vagina for absorption of menstrual flow therein, such as are shown in the patents to Voss, No. 2,076,389 and McLaughlin, No. 2,416,706, it is to be noted that the tampons are formed of a compressed mass of absorbent fibers which is inserted into the vagina and retained therein by the vaginal sphinctre in such position as to absorb the menstrual flow in the mass of fibres. As is well known, the volume and rate of menstrual flow vary over wide ranges not only from time to time within the menstrual period but also greatly from person to person. Thus, the situation may arise where, during a period when the menstrual flow is particularly heavy and/ or, perhaps, at a time when the tampon has already absorbed a substantial proportion of its capacity of menstrual fluid, some small amount of the fluid may actually pass all the. way through the tampon before it can be absorbed and retained therein. Since even a tiny amount of menstrual fluid emerging from the vagina is undesirable and, perhaps, embarrassing, it may be desired to assure against this situation no matter how infrequently it may be expected to happen.

According to this invention, then, a catamenial tampon of the character described is provided with a moisture resistant barrier at the lower or outer end thereof for the purpose of retarding flow out of the tampon sufiiciently so that any fluid attempting so to flow out will be retained mechanically for a suflicient time for the fluid to be absorbed in the absorbent mass of the tampon fibres, but not sufficiently to dam or undesirably prevent continued and natural menstrual flow.

One object of this invention is to provide a catamenial tampon of the character described having a moisture resistant barrier at the lower or outer end thereof for the purpose of retarding outward flow of body fluid from the tampon but only sufficiently for such outwardly fluid to be absorbed in the absorbent fibres of the tampon.

Another object of this invention is to provide an absorbent catamenial tampon of the character described having a compressed mass of absorbent fibres to absorb catamenial flow and with a moisture resistant barrier at the lower or outer end thereof to retard the outward flow of fluid from the absorbent fibres and yet without undesirably retarding the natural flow or decreasing the capacity of the fibres to absorb fluid without constricting expansion of the tampon in the vagina.

A further object of this invention is to provide, in a cat-amenial tampon of the character described, a moisture resistant barrier or cup of fabric or other sheet material at the lower or outer end of the tampon for at least temporarily retarding the outward flow of body fluid therefrom when the tampon is inserted into a vagina for use.

atent TlQQ 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 view of a tampon embodying this invention as manufactured and prior to insertion, with part of the applicator tube in which the tampon is sold broken away;

FIG. 2 is a vertical median section through a human vagina and adjacent organs showing a tampon embodying this invention in position for use;

FIG. 3 is a view of a tampon embodying this invention and more or less expanded (as after having been ejected from the applicator tube of FIG. 1 and in position as in FIG. 2) for increased absorption as when in use;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view, somewhat diagrammatic of a partly manufactured tampon prior to compression of the tampon and its mass of absorbent fibres into a generally cylindrical mass, and illustrating one means of aflixing a moisture resistant barrier according to this invention;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary showing, somewhat diagrammatically, of an embodiment for practicing this invention in which the moisture proof barrier at the bottom of the cotton bat is provided for enclosing an additional area of the bat than in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary showing, somewhat diagrammatically, and in perspective as FIG. 5 illustrating a situ ation where the moisture proof barrier is folded around and over the edge portions of the original tampon bat prior to compression thereof; and

FIG. 7 is a further fragmentary and somewhat diagrammatic illustration in perspective of a further embodiment of the application of a moisture proof or retarding barrier according to this invention.

Referring to the drawing, in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views thereof, a catamenial tampon, generally such as those to which this invention relates, is illustrated in FIG. 1 as comprising a compressed mass of absorbent cotton fibres lit compressed into a generally cylindrical form and partially enclosed Within a cylindrical tube 11 to aid in the insertion of the tampon into the vagina. A telescoping cooperating tube 12 is also provided for ejecting the tampon it) from the tube 11 after the insertion thereof into the vagina, and a cord or string 13 is shown as afiixed to the tampon It) to aid in the removal thereof from the vagina after use. Such a tampon is Well known in this art, and both it and methods of its manufacture are Well understood, as, for example, illustrated by the aforementioned patents.

As indicated in FIG. 2, insertion of the tampon is accomplished by inserting the tip of the outer tube 11 into the vaginal opening and past the vaginal sphinctre 20, and then ejecting the tampon 10 from tube 11 by depressing telescoping tube 12 so that the tampon, after insertion, assumes generally the position indicated in FIG. 2 substantially filling the vagina 21 and in a position with respect to the uterus 22 to receive and absorb catamenial fluid flowing into the vagina 21. Although tampons according to this invention are selected as to size and manufactured to accommodate wide variations in quantity and rate of menstrual flow, there may occur an excessively copious surge or a situation where the tampon is almost completely full of absorbed fluid or some sudden unusual exercise on the part of the wearer whereby menstrual fluid flows into the tampon at so great a rate that it will not momentarily be retained by the absorbent fibre mass and a small portion thereof may actually emerge through the lower or outer end of the tampon (the right hand end in FIG. 2) through or to the vaginal sphinctre 20.

To assure against this situation a moisture resistant barrier is provided according to this invention and generally indicated in FIG. 2 as at the outer or lower end of the tampon to retain outward flow of fluid at least temporarily and until such outflowing fluid can be absorbed and retained by the absorbent fibres in the tampon. Such a moisture resistant barrier is indicated in FIG. 3 as comprising a cup-shaped covering provided over the lower end of the tampon and treated to be substantially resistant or impervious to body fluid. The cup 30 is so dimensioned that it will not substantially constrain the full expansion of the compressed tampon from its compressed form indicated in the applicator tube iii of FIG. 1 to its expanded position indicated in FIG. 2 in place in the vagina, although, as will be noted from FIG. 2, cup 30 is at an end of the tampon it) which, because of the natural shape of the vagina 21, need not, perhaps, expand to such as full an extent as other portions of the tampon. Such an arrangement provides for the moisture resistant barrier of cup 30 at least retarding outward flow of fluid from the lower end of the tampon sufliciently for any free flowing fluid retained by cup 3% to be absorbed or re-absorbed by the normal absorbing, capillary, etc., action of the mass of absorbent fibres.

It should be noted that the cap or barrier 30 preferably is configured, in the finished tampon, as in FIG. 3 to cover not only the bottom end of the tampon but also to extend a portion of the way along the sides thereof (perhaps three quarters of an inch to one inch, as illustrative), but note that the FIG. 3 showing is of a tampon after compression in the generally cylindrical dies as used in the manufacture of tampons of this character. As so compressed, the moisture resistant covering 25 of sheet material provides a covering over the base or lower or external end of the tampon it and is afiixed thereto by being adhered to the end of the compressed mass of fibres and/ or by being aflixed to the withdrawal cord 13.

One satisfactory method for the manufacturing of an absorbent cotton catamenial tampon of the character to which this invention relates is to take a more or less rectilinear bat 4d of absorbent cotton (perhaps one quarter inch or less in thickness and one and threequarters inches more or less wide and four inches long) and sew withdrawal cord 13 along the center thereof. Thereafter bat is compressed into its desired cylindrical shape in cylindrical molds or otherwise, as well understood in this art.

As indicated in FIG. 4, a rectilinear bat 40 has withdrawal cord 13 sewn down the center thereof as by stitches 41. Prior to the sewing operation, a piece of moisture resistant fabric or other sheet material 52 is folded over one end of bat 40, and aflixed thereto during the sewing operations by stitches 41 uniting withdrawal cord 13 with both bat 4t) and fabric 42. Thereafter, the entire partially finished tampon (illustrated in FIG. 4), including the fabric barrier 4-2, is subjected to the usual molding or forming or compressing operations to form the compressed cylindrical tampon 10 for insertion, as in FIG. 1, into applicator tube 11. During this molding or forming operation, as will be understood, the open edges 43 of fabric covering 42 will be brought together, overlapped, and more or less intertwined to provide in the finished compressed tampon a moisture resistant cup 3%) as indicated in FIG. 3. It may be desired, of course, actually to seal or aflix together open edges 43 of fabric covering 42, although satisfactory results are obtained upon compressing and molding the partially completed tampons shown in FIG. 4 without, necessarily, providing a specific adhesive or other closure or seam for the edge portions 43.

Satisfactory results are also obtained according to this invention, by providing, as moisture resistant barrier 25,

a sheet material of moisture resistant paper, plasic, or fabric, as indicated in FIG. 5 at 45 to be applied over the base or lower end of the bat 40 from which the tampon is to be formed or compressed and to be aflixed thereto, as in the illustration of FIG. 4, by stitches 41, which are also utilized to unite the bat 40 and withdrawal string 13. As will be noted in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the edges 46 of the moisture resistant sheet material 45 extend substantially beyond the lateral edges of absorbent cotton bat 40 so that, as more particularly illustrated in FIG. 6, these extending edges 46 can be folded back on or around bat 40, indicated in FIG. 6, to form a rectilinear package prior to compression or forming of the rectilinear bat into a circular tampon (for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3) in the usual cylindrical compression dies.

As a further advantage of this invention, of course, it should be understood as including the outer or lower end of the tampon as being sprayed with or dipped in a moisture resistant material, such as a synthetic resin as noted, and/or as having the sheet material 45 sprayed with or dipped in a moisture resistant composition, either before or after formation thereof on to bat 40 or in a cylindrical tampon 10, to enhance the moisture barrier effects thereof. As illustrative of materials with which satisfactory results have been obtained with the moisture resistant sheet'material for use in practicing this invention may be noted paper or plastic sheets or woven or nonwoven fabrics (:by which terms should be understood braided, knitted, felted, etc., fabrics) inherently resistant or treated to be resistant to body fluids by any one of a number of well known methods. For example, there are noted well known, more or less moisture impervious or retardant sheet materials, such as impregnated gauze, other impregnated or not impregnated woven cloth of various natural and synthetic fibres, wet-strength papers and related felted cellulosic products, and this invention also contemplates the direct application (on either the absorbent cotton fibres themselves in bat 40 or tampon 10 or on a gauze or other fabric or webbing or sheet material covering 42) of any one of a number of various moisture-resistant materials. For example, an alcoholether solution of cellulose nitrate can readily, in known manner, be provided on either the lower or outer end of the tampon to form the desired moisture resistant barrier and/or on a gauze covering 42 or 45 which may be preliminarily formed (as at 30 in FIG. 3 to provide the desired cup effect) and thereafter rendered sufficiently moisture resistant to provide the retarding barrier embodying and for practicing this invention. Similarly, ethyl cellulose dissolved in chlorinated hydrocarbons, in known manner, may provide a similar moisture conditioning material, in addition to those moisture resistant sheet or fabric materials well known in this art. Also vinyl acetate resins dissolved in chlorinated hydrocarbons, silicone substances in various aqueous emulsions, etc., are all to be considered as included within the contemplation of the present invention and, with satisfactory results, within a range of, approximately, 1%-5% concentration as applied to the particular sheet material or tampon involved.

As a further feature of this invention, it may be preferred to employ a construction somewhat as illustrated, diagrammatically, in FIG. 7, in which the usual rectilinear bat 40 of absorbent material is provided (of course, prior to compression thereof into a cylindrical form as in FIG, 3) having around the lower or outer edge thereof a moisture resistant barrier or sheet material layer 42 united with absorbent cotton bat 40 by, as in the previous illustrations, stitching 41, which also unites the entire assembly with a withdrawal string 13. Whether or not the edges 43 of the moisture resistant fabric or sheet material 42 do or do not extend beyond the transverse dimension of bat 40 (as in FIG. 4 or, alternatively, as in the construction indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6), the barrier or sheet material 42 is applied to bat 40 to form the moisture resistant cup 25 as previously described.

Since the bat of absorbent cotton or absorbent cotton wool 40 is, naturally made upof a plurality of more or less distinct layers united by the stitching 41, some advantage may be gained by applying a further minute layer 50 of absorbent cotton more or less indistinguishable from bat 40 over the outside of sheet material 42, said extra layer 50 (which, as will be understood, is applied to both sides of bat 40) may be stitched thereto and integrated therewith by the same stitching 41. In this case, and as illustrated in FIG. 7, such an arrangement after being compressed in the usual cylindrical compression die into a generally cylindrical tampon as in FIG. 3- will provide the merits of the moisture retarding barrier according to this invention without having the existence of this barrier immediately apparent to an observer of the finished tampon.

The advantages of such an arrangement are, as will be understood, correlated to a substantial extent with the inherent intimacy of the use of a catamenial tampon by the user thereof. Thus, for example, the ultimate efficiency and utility of a commercially acceptable tampon has to do primarily with the fact that the user is interested primarily in complete protection from any outward show or inconvenience resulting from the inevitable menstrual cycle. If this complete freedom can be obtained, the user of the tampon will accept it as an article of utility; if the tampon fails to provide the desired amount of protection, the user will be dissatisfied. It is also known that damming of the menstrual flow or otherwise interfering with the natural flow thereof is psychologically and physiologically disadvantageous. Accordingly, and particularly with regard to the construction illustrated in FIG. 7, substantial commercial and psychological advantage may be gain and/or preferred if the user of the tampon is not aware (because of the overlying layer 50 of absorbent cotton fibres hiding the moisture proof barrier sheet material 42) that a moisture proof barrier exists, for the reason, among others, that, if the tampon visually appeared to the user (who is, or" course, unskilled in the art of tampon manufacture and, inevitably, uninterested in the technology thereof), the user might confuse in her mind the existence of a moisture proof barrier with an undesired, physiological, damming eflect-which effect, as previously noted, is not produced by tampons according to and embodying this invention.

In any case, however, it should be noted that the provision of moisture proof barrier 25, whether as a cup enclosing a substantial portion of the lower end of the tampon or otherwise, results primarily in a moisture resistant reservoir area at the base or lower or outer end of the tampon to retain body fluid at least temporarily until it can be absorbed in the usual and normal manner by the absorbent fibres of the tampon. Such barrier is not meant to restrain in any way the expansion characteristics of the tampon in use nor is it meant to constrain the inherent resiliency of the fibres, as would be the case with a tight fitting or closed pervious covering, nor the normal flow of menstrual fluid. in addition to that above noted, as will be understood, the particular material from which the moisture proof barrier 25 is made and/ or the particular material or treatment utilized to render barrier 25 adequately moisture resistant are all selected so as to be physiologically inert and nonirritating when in use as well as to be in no way inimical to the normal physiological, bacteriological, etc., environment of the human vagina and the tissues thereof with which they will be in contact.

As will be seen from the foregoing, an improved tampon is provided by this invention whereby, without otherwise substantially affecting the size, degree of compression, or capacity for absorption and fluid retention of the compressed absorbent fibres, a moisture resistant area or reservoir is formed at the outer or lower end of the tampon to retard or retain (at least temporarily and not beyond the normal and appropriate limits of the physiological system encountered) outward flow of fluid, whether arising from a sudden surge in menstrual flow or from other causes such as expulsion of already absorbed fluid by sudden muscular activity of the user, so that such excess or unabsorbed or expulsed fluid is retarded from flowing out of the tampon sufiiciently for the unabsorbed fluid to be absorbed or reabsorbed in the usual Way by the absorbent mass of compressed fibres as desired.

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. In a method of making an absorbent catamenial tampon of the character described for insertion into a human vagina for absorption of body fluid therein, the steps which comprise providing a substantially rectangular hat of absorbent fibres, covering one end of said bat with a piece of moisture-resistant sheet material, uniting said fibres and sheet material with a row of stitching axially along said bat and through said sheet material, subjecting said stitched bat and sheet material to compression in a substantially cylindrical mold effecting compression of said fibres in said bat and closing open edges of said sheet material to form a substantially continuous moitsure-resistant barrier around one end of said compressed tampon.

2. In a method of making an absorbent catamenial tampon of the character described for insertion into a human vagina for absorption of body fluid therein, the steps which comprise providing a substantially rectangular hat of absorbent fibres, covering one end of said bat with a piece of moisture-resistant sheet material, uniting said fibres and said sheet material with a row of stitching axially along said bat and through said sheet material, said stitching continuing beyond said covered end of said bat forming a cord for withdrawing said tampon from said vagina after use, subjecting said stitched bat and sheet material to compression in a substantially cylindrical mold effecting compression of said fibres in said bat and closing open edges of said sheet material to form a substantially continuous moisture-resistant barrier around one end of said compressed tampon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,575,123 Martocci-Pisculli Mar. 2, 1926 1,964,911 Haas July 3, 1934 2,188,923 Robinson Feb. 6, 1940 2,330,257 Bailey Sept. 28, 1943

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