Catamenial tampons or the like

[57]

ABSTRACT

A catamenial tampon comprising an elongated strip of regenerated cellulose sponge material bonded to an outer covering of reinforcing material and compressed and dried to a reduced diameter, said covering being adapted to permit expansion of said sponge material when moistened.

Claims, 7 Drawing Figures

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PATENTEDJUL 4 1372

3,674,030

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3,674,030

CATAMENIAL TAMPONS OR THE LIKE

This application is a continuation of our prior application Ser. No. 744,551, filed July 12,1968, now abandoned.

This invention relates to improvements in catamenial tampons or like devices for absorbing moisture from body cavities, wounds or incisions.

The invention provides a catamenial tampon or like device comprising an absorbent core of regenerated cellulose sponge material at least partly covered by a permeable outer covering of reinforcing material bonded to the surface of the sponge material, the sponge material having been compressed and dried so that the said core retains transverse dimensions which are reduced compared to the transverse dimensions of the sponge material in the moist relaxed state, and the said permeable outer covering being such as to permit expansion of the said core when moistened.

The tampon according to the invention has the advantage that in its dry form it is of reduced dimensions and is comparatively rigid to facilitate insertion thereof into a body cavity, in most cases without the necessity for the use of a separate applicator, while when moistened by body fluids it expands to conform to the body cavity, becoming soft and flexible. The reinforcing outer covering prevents breaking up of the sponge core material during subsequent withdrawal of the tampon.

The tampon may be provided with a cord of cotton, nylon or other material, to facilitate withdrawal, the cord being threaded through an aperture pierced in the tampon or being stitched to the said outer covering. The outer covering surface of the sponge serves to distribute tension from the withdrawal cord over the material, preventing breaking of the sponge.

The said outer covering advantageously comprises a tube of knitted or woven fabric bonded to the sponge material during the process of regenerating the cellulose sponge.

One end of the tampon may be shaped, for example by cutting the sponge before or after compression, to facilitate insertion into a body cavity. The shaped end may be of arcuate or trapezium shaped profile.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the outer surface of the tampon may be provided with a lubricant to facilitate insertion into a body cavity, the lubricant being of such a nature that it does not substantially impede the absorption of moisture by the tampon nor contains sufficient moisture to expand the sponge material prematurely. Furthermore the tampon may be impregnated with preservatives for reducing attack by bacteria or fungi, medicaments, humidifying agents, deodorants, odor producing substances or substances for increasing the hydrophilic properties of the tampon.

According to a further embodiment of the invention the sponge core of the tampon may be so compressed that the relative transverse dimensions of the sponge core when moistened differ from the relative dimensions when dry, preferably being such that the major dimension when wet is at right angles to the major dimensions when dry. For example the tampon may be of elliptical cross-section when dry, when wet being of greater elliptical cross-section but having the major transverse dimension at right angles to its major transverse dimension in the dry form. The cross-section when wet may alternatively be rectangular instead of elliptical. In this case the major dimension of the rectangle is at right angles to the major dimension of the elliptical cross-section of the tampon in its dry form.

This embodiment of the invention has the advantage that it further facilitates introduction of the tampon into a body cavity, while the tampon when inserted conforms better to the shape of the body cavity, increasing the security of retention therein and reducing risk of channels being formed between the body and the tampon, such as might cause leakage.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sponge tampon according to the invention, shown in the moist, relaxed state,

FIG. 2 is a similar view of another embodiment of tampon.

FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation of a tampon as shown in FIG. 1 or 2 when in the dry, compressed state, shown in place in an applicator,

FIGS. 4a and 4b are cross-sections of a further embodiment of tampon, shown in the moist state and the dry compressed state respectively, and

FIGS. 5α and 5b are similar views of another embodiment of tampon.

Referring to the drawings, in FIG. 1 is shown a tampon comprising a regenerated cellulose core 1, in the form of a fine pore sponge containing reinforcing fibers. The core 1 is of cylindrical shape, and has intimately bonded to the periphery thereof a tubular reinforcing cover 2 of circularly knitted cotton stockinet. A withdrawal cord 3 is threaded through a hole 4 pierced in the tampon. The tampon is shown in the relaxed state, for clarity, this being the form in which the core 1 is initially produced, for example by means of the process described and claimed in British Pat. No.33095/67. In the form prepared for use the tampon is compressed to transverse dimensions substantially smaller than those in the moist relaxed state, for example by pressing between heated shaped platens, or by drawing a continuous length of the sponge material through a tapered heated former, again as described and claimed in British Pat. No.33095/67, before it is cut into lengths to form tampons.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of tampon, in which a sponge core 5 is of rectangular shape and is provided with a reinforcing outer cover of cotton scrim 6 on two opposite longitudinal faces only. A withdrawal cord 7 is threaded through an aperture 8 in the tampon, so that the cord 7 passes through the surfaces covered with the cotton scrim 6. A tampon as shown in FIG. 2 can be formed by cutting pieces from a larger slab of sponge material provided with two opposite scrim covered faces. The tampons shown in FIG. 2 are also dried and compressed to smaller transverse dimensions when in the form for use. Such compression may be effected either before or after cutting from the larger slab of sponge material.

FIG. 3 shows a suitable disposable applicator for a tampon such as shown in FIG. 1 or 2. The applicator comprises two cylindrical cardboard tubes 9 and 10 arranged to slide one within the other. The tampon, compressed to a cylindrical shape, is arranged within the larger diameter tube 9. The adjacent end 10α of the tube 10 is radiused as shown to promote effective engagement with the end of the tampon. To insert a tampon into a body cavity, first the tube 9 is introduced into said cavity, and then the tube 10 is collapsed into the tube 9 to eject the tampon. If desired, the leading end of the tampon may project from the tube 9, and may be cut to a radiused shape to facilitate insertion.

FIG. 4α shows a possible alternative cross-sectional shape for a tampon having the general construction shown in FIG. 1. A tampon of this shape advantageously has the cross-section shown in FIG.46 when dried and compressed ready for use, so that the major transverse dimension in the compressed form is at right angles to the major transverse dimension in the moist relaxed form.

Likewise, a tampon having the cross sectional shape shown in FIG. 5α when moist, for example a tampon as shown in FIG. 2 may have the cross-section shown in FIG. 5b when dried and compressed.

Tampons as described above may advantageously be impregnated with a solution of Cetrimide, during manufacture, so that the dried and compressed tampon contains 0.1-0.2 percent of Cetrimide by weight. This gives an increased wetting rate of the sponge material, and also has bacteriocidal properties.