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US 9,211,216 B2Granted
Tampon method of manufacture
AssigneeKimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
InventorsMary Lou McDaniel, John David Amundson, Steven Craig Gehling
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A pledget for a tampon having improved leakage prevention of bodily fluid after the tampon is inserted in the vagina. The pledget can have an absorbent structure having two layers. At least one of the layers of the absorbent structure can have one contact element at least partially separated from a second contact element. A method of manufacturing the tampon can include a step of incorporating a contact element into at least one of the two layers of the absorbent structure.
Claims6
A method of manufacturing a pledget, the method comprising the steps of:
- a. forming a nonwoven ribbon, the method of forming the nonwoven ribbon comprising the steps of:
- i. providing a first layer of fibrous material having a first surface and a second surface;
- ii. providing a second layer of fibrous material having a first surface and a second surface;
- and
- iii. placing the first layer and the second layer into communication with each other to create the nonwoven ribbon;
- b. incorporating a fold into the first layer of fibrous material wherein a first portion of the first surface of the first layer is brought into communication with a second portion of the first surface of the first layer;
- c. incorporating a first contact element and a second contact element into the first layer by incorporating at least three successive slits into the first layer wherein each slit is cut through the fold in the first layer;
- d. separating an individual unit of fleece from the nonwoven ribbon wherein the individual unit of fleece comprises a portion of the first layer of fibrous material, a portion of the second layer of fibrous material, the first contact element and the second contact element;
- and
- e. compressing the individual unit of fleece.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.