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US 7,678,095 B2Granted
Pre-expanded tampon pledget
AssigneePlaytex Products, Inc.
InventorsDane R. Jackson, Karla E. Williams, Suzanne Pauley, Jeffrey Brown
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides a pre-expanded tampon pledget formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.
Claims13
A pre-expanded tampon pledget comprising:
- a cellulosic fiber, said cellulosic fiber essentially amounting to the total weight of the pre-expanded tampon pledget, said cellulosic fiber is such that the pre-expanded tampon pledget has a larger diameter and volume and a reduced fiber density prior to use than after use, wherein said reduced fiber density is from 0.01 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc) to 0.39 g/cc with an absorbency capability from 6 grams to 18 grams, and wherein the pre-expanded tampon pledget has a length of 1.75 inches.
A pre-expanded tampon pledget comprising:
- a cellulosic fiber, said cellulosic fiber essentially amounting to the total weight of the pre-expanded tampon pledget, said cellulosic fiber is such that the pre-expanded tampon pledget has a larger diameter and volume and a reduced fiber density just prior to use than after use, wherein said reduced fiber density is from 0.01 g/cc to 0.39 g/cc with an absorbency capability from 6 grams to 18 grams, and wherein the pre-expanded tampon pledget has a diameter in an initial condition selected from the group consisting of from 0.5 inches to 0.8 inches for an absorbency capability from 6 grams to 9 grams and from 0.65 inches to 0.8 inches for an absorbency capability from 9 grams to 18 grams, and wherein the pre-expanded tampon pledget has a length of 1.75 inches.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.