Laterally expandable tampon

A tampon comprising:

• a) an absorbent having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration;
• b) a liquid-permeable cover circumferentially surrounding said absorbent to form an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end, said softwind being folded upon itself at three spaced apart locations to form an M-shaped profile, said softwind being compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end with said insertion end containing a greater amount of absorbent than said trailing end, said insertion end having a cleft formed therein;
• c) withdrawal means for removing said tampon from a woman's vagina, said withdrawal means being attached to said trailing end of said pledget and passing through both said absorbent and said cover;
• and
• d) means for securing said first end to said second end to restrict expansion of said trailing end of said pledget.

A tampon comprising:

• a) an absorbent having a generally circular cross-sectional configuration;
• b) a liquid-permeable cover circumferentially surrounding said absorbent to form an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end, said softwind being folded upon itself at three spaced apart locations to form an M-shaped profile, said softwind being compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end with said insertion end containing a greater amount of absorbent than said trailing end, said insertion end having a cleft formed therein which is capable of laterally expanding immediately upon insertion into a woman's vagina;
• and
• c) a withdrawal string attached to said trailing end of said pledget and passing through an aperture formed through both said absorbent and said cover and securing said first end in direct contact to said second end to form said trailing end of said pledget to restrict expansion of said trailing end of said pledget.