# US 10,245,189 B2 · Tampon having spirally shaped grooves > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,245,189 B2 - Document ID: US10245189B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/288,683 - Filed: 2014-05-28 - Published: 2014-09-18 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2001-03-26 - Assignees: Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC - Applicants: Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC. - Inventors: Hans Werner Schoelling - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10245189B2 ## CPC - A61F 13/2051: {characterised by the material or the structure of the inner absorbing core} - A61F 13/15203: {Properties of the article, e.g. stiffness or absorbency (chemical aspects A61L15/00)} - A61F 13/15707: {Mechanical treatment, e.g. notching, twisting, compressing, shaping} - A61F 13/2037: {having grooves or ribs, having a main axis in the radial direction} - A61F 13/2085: {Catamenial tampons} - B30B 11/007: {using a plurality of pressing members working in different directions} - A61F 2013/15365: {Dimensions} - A61F 2013/15715: {Shaping or making outer layers} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - B30B: PRESSES IN GENERAL (producing ultra-high pressure or ultra-high pressure and high temperature to effect modifications of a substance, e.g. for making artificial diamonds B01J3/00 ){(compressing means for refuse receptacles B65F1/1405)} ## Abstract A tampon for feminine hygiene, having an insertion end, a recovery end, a recovery tape, and a longitudinal axis. The tampon is made of compressed fibrous material and has an outer surface that is at least partially provided with spirally shaped, pressed longitudinal grooves. The grooves define spirally shaped longitudinal ribs. Also disclosed is a method for producing the tampon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tampon comprising: a compressed fiber core having an insertion end, a recovery end, a longitudinal axis, and a substantially cylindrical outer surface, said fiber core having a first density and a first circumference; wherein at least one longitudinal ribs extend radially outward from said fiber core, said ribs being spaced proximal to the core forming at least one spiral liquid guide duct, and said at least one rib defined by at least one longitudinal groove on at least a portion of said outer-surface; and wherein said tampon has sufficient column strength to permit insertion thereof into a body cavity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tampon of claim 1, wherein said at least one liquid guide duct has a first geometry. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The tampon of claim 2, wherein said first geometry has a drop-shaped cross-section. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The tampon of claim 2, wherein said at least one longitudinal groove extends along said longitudinal axis having a second geometry. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The tampon of claim 4, wherein said second geometry has a depth of at least about 1 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The tampon of claim 4, wherein said second geometry is further defined by side flanks of said at least one longitudinal rib. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The tampon of claim 4, wherein said first geometry of said at least one liquid guide duct is different than said second geometry of said at least one longitudinal groove. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The tampon of claim 1, wherein said at least one rib, said at least one groove, said at least one liquid guide duct, or a combination thereof, is spirally shaped along said longitudinal axis such that said at least one rib, said at least one groove, said at least one liquid guide duct, or a combination thereof, extends over at least about 80 degrees of said tampon first circumference. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The tampon of claim 1, wherein said at least one rib, said at least one groove, said at least one liquid guide duct, or a combination thereof, is spirally shaped along said longitudinal axis such that said at least one rib, said at least one groove, said at least one liquid guide duct, or a combination thereof, extends over said tampon first circumference up to about 150 degrees. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The tampon according to claim 1, wherein said tampon has a second circumference, such that said tampon first circumference is different than said tampon second circumference. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The tampon according to claim 1, wherein said at least one rib has a second density that is less than said first density. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The tampon of claim 1, wherein said tampon expands substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis upon absorption of bodily fluid. ### Claim 13 A tampon comprising: a compressed fiber core having an insertion end, a recovery end, a longitudinal axis, and a substantially cylindrical outer surface, said fiber core having a first density and a first circumference; wherein said outer surface of said tampon is at least partially provided with at least one spirally shaped, longitudinal rib extending radially outward from said fiber core, wherein said tampon is dimensionally stable and has sufficient column strength to permit insertion thereof into a body cavity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tampon of claim 13, wherein said tampon expands substantially radially with respect to said longitudinal axis upon absorption of bodily fluids. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The tampon of claim 13, wherein said at least one rib is spirally shaped along said longitudinal axis such that said at least one rib extends over at least about 80 degrees of said tampon first circumference. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The tampon of claim 13, wherein said at least one rib is spirally shaped along said longitudinal axis such that said at least one rib extends over said tampon first circumference up to 150 degrees. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The tampon of claim 13, wherein said tampon has a second circumference, such that said tampon first circumference is different than said tampon second circumference. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The tampon according to claim 13, wherein said at least one rib has a second density that is less than said first density. ### Claim 19 An improved tampon, comprising: a compressed fibrous material forming a core having an insertion end and a recovery end, a longitudinal axis and a substantially cylindrical outer surface area, said core having a mass, wherein said fiber core has at least one spiral guide duct extending along said longitudinal axis, said spiral guide duct defined proximally by said core and remotely by at least one longitudinal rib, said at least one spiral guide duct increasing said outer surface area, wherein said at least one spiral guide duct improves the absorption capacity and the expansion capacity of said tampon while minimizing said mass, and wherein said tampon has sufficient column strength to permit insertion thereof into a body cavity.