A method of integrating a tampon includes providing an absorbent blank having a longitudinal centerline and compressing the absorbent blank in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal centerline to form a pledget having a compressed diameter. The method also includes penetrating the pledget in the perpendicular direction to a compressed depth of at least 20% of the compressed diameter to form a discrete indentation.

Claims

9 · 1 independent · depth 4

9 granted claims

›1.independentA method of integrating a tampon comprisingnproviding an absorbent blank with a longitudinal centerline,compressing the absorbent blank into a pledget…+8

›2.↳ 1The method of claim 1 wherein the method includes the step of at least partially wrapping the absorbent blank with a cover before compressing the abso…d2

›3.↳ 1The method of claim 1 wherein pledget defines a first half having an insertion end and a second half having a withdrawal end and the method further in…d2+2

›6.↳ 1The method of claim 1 wherein the pledget is penetrated to a compressed depth of at least 30% of the compressed diameter.d2

›7.↳ 1The method of claim 1 wherein the rows of indentations and the longitudinal grooves are formed in a simile compression unit.d2

›8.↳ 1The method of claim 1 wherein the pledget defines a first half and a second half and wherein the method further includes forming more indentations in …d2

›9.↳ 1The method or claim 1 wherein the pledget is penetrated to a compressed depth of at least 20% of the compressed diameter.d2

Classifications

2 codes

IPC · International Patent Classification

Section A — Human necessities

A61F13/20

USPC · US Patent Classification

28/118

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Pendency

3.6 y

1,323 days filing → grant

Office actions

after a restriction

Responses

no RCE

Examiner

Amy Vanatta

art unit 3765 · TC 3700

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Citations: 39 back · 0 forward

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Priority chain

1 priority documents

›Priority documents — 1

Type	Document	Date
related publication	US 20120283685 A1	8 Nov 2012

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