Vaginal epithelium drying is substantially reduced or prevented by reducing the capillary suction pressure of a tampon in early use. This is accomplished by modifying the capillary suction pressure of the surface of the tampon by using hydrophobic components in the tampon, such as hydrophobic fibers and/or hydrophobic cover material. Other means of obtaining a lower capillary suction pressure include increasing the denier of the fibers in the tampon\'s absorbent core and/or decreasing the density of the tampon.

Claims

23 · 4 independent · depth 5

23 granted claims

›1.independentAn absorbent tampon comprising an absorbent core having a hydrophilic material and an effective amount of a hydrophobic material to provide an initial…+8

›10.independentAn absorbent tampon comprising an absorbent tampon core having a density of less than about 0.4 g/cc and an effective amount of hydrophobic material t…+4

›15.independentAn absorbent tampon comprising an absorbent core having a density of less than about 0.25 g/cc and an initial surface capillary suction pressure of le…+3

›19.independentAn absorbent tampon which reduces drying of vaginal epithelium during use, the tampon comprising an absorbent core and a material substantially coveri…+4

Classifications

5 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section A — Human necessities

A61F1/315

USPC · US Patent Classification

604/363604/358604/904604/378

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Pendency

5.1 y

1,863 days filing → grant

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Examiner

John G. Weiss

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