PCT
`
`WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION
`Intematronal Bureau
`
`INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(51) International Patent Classification 6 :
`
`(11) International Publication Number:
`
`WO 98/06365
`
`A61F 13/20, 13/22
`
`(43) International Publication Date:
`
`19 February I998 (l9.02.98)
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCT/US97/ 12447
`
`(22) International Filing Date:
`
`9 July 1997 (09.07.97)
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`08/695,488
`08/693 ,686
`
`12 August 1996 (l2.08.96)
`12 August 1996 (1208.96)
`
`US
`US
`
`INC.
`KIMBERLYCLARK WORLDWIDE,
`(71) Applicant:
`[US/US]; 401 North Lake Street. Neenah, WI 54956 (US).
`
`I437 Ridgeway Drive,
`(72) Inventors: ACHTER, Amy, Michele;
`Neenah, WI 54956 (US). BALZAR, Tammy,
`Jo; 891
`Airport Road, Menasha, WI 54952 (US). FOX, Donald,
`George; 2425 Marathon Avenue, Neenah, WI 54956 (US).
`
`J. et al.; Kimberly-Clark
`(74) Agents: CONNELLY, Thomas,
`Worldwide, Inc., 401 North Lake Street, Neenah, WI 54956
`(US).
`
`(81) Designated States: AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR,
`BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, Fl, GB, GE,
`HU, IL, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT,
`LU, LV, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT,
`RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG,
`UZ, VN, ARIPO patent (GH, KE, LS, MW, SD, SZ, UG,
`ZW), Eurasian patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ,
`TM), European patent (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES. FI, FR.
`GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OAPI patent (BF,
`BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published
`With international search report.
`
`(54) Title: TAMPON HAVING A RESILIENT MEMBER AND A METHOD OF FORMING THE TAMPON
`
`(57) Abstract
`
`A tampon is disclosed which is useful in preventing premature
`leakage of body fluid from a woman’s vagina especially during her
`menstrual period. The tampon includes an absorbent and a resilient
`member. The resilient member is positioned on or within the
`absorbent and both members are rolled or fonned into an elongated
`softwind having a first end and a second end. The softwind is
`folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are aligned
`adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds
`therebetween. The softwind is compressed into an elongated pledget
`having an insertion end and a trailing end. The resilient member
`is capable of expanding at
`least a portion of the pledget so as
`to prevent premature leakage of body fluid when inserted into a
`woman’s vagina. The tampon further includes a withdrawal string
`for removing the tampon from a woman's vagina. The withdrawal
`string is attached to the first and second ends of the softwind. The
`method includes the steps of assembling a resilient member and an
`absorbent to form a structure having a central longitudinal axis X-
`-X. The resilient member can be either aligned with or offset from
`the central longitudinal axis X-—X. The absorbent and the resilient
`member are rolled or folded up into an elongated softwind which
`has a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon
`itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one
`another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween.
`The softwind is then compressed into a pledget having an insertion
`end and a trailing end. A withdrawal string is secured to the pledget
`to form a tampon. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the
`tampon from the woman’s vagina.
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 1
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 1
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`

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`
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`FOR THE PURPOSES OF INFORMATION ONLY
`
`Codes used to identify States party to the PCT on the front pages of pamphlets publishing intemational applications under the PCT.
`
`Albania
`Annenia
`Austria
`Australia
`Azerbaijan
`Bosnia and Herzegovina
`Barbados
`Belgium
`Burkina Faso
`Bulgaria
`Benin
`Brazil
`Belarus
`Canada
`Central African Republic
`Congo
`Switzerland
`Cote d'lvoire
`Cameroon
`China
`Cuba
`Czech Republic
`Germany
`Denmark
`Estonia
`
`ES
`FI
`FR
`GA
`GB
`GE
`GH
`GN
`GR
`HU
`[E
`[L
`IS
`IT
`JP
`KE
`KG
`KP
`
`KR
`K7.
`LC
`LI
`LK
`LR
`
`Spain
`Finland
`France
`Gabon
`United Kingdom
`Georgia
`Ghana
`Guinea
`Greece
`Hungary
`Ireland
`Israel
`Iceland
`Italy
`Japan
`Kenya
`Kyrgyzstan
`Democratic People's
`Republic of Korea
`Republic of Korea
`Kazakstan
`Saint Lucia
`Liechtenstein
`Sri Lanka
`Liberia
`
`LS
`LT
`LU
`LV
`MC
`MD
`MG
`MK
`
`ML
`MN
`MR
`MW
`MX
`NE
`NL
`NO
`NZ
`PL
`PT
`RO
`RU
`SD
`SE
`SG
`
`Lesotho
`Lithuania
`Luxembourg
`Latvia
`Monaco
`Republic of Moldova
`Madagascar
`The former Yugoslav
`Republic of Macedonia
`Mali
`Mongolia
`Mauritania
`Malawi
`Mexico
`Niger
`Netherlands
`Norway
`New Zealand
`Poland
`Portugal
`Romania
`Russian Federation
`Sudan
`Sweden
`Singapore
`
`SI
`SK
`SN
`SZ
`TD
`TO
`TJ
`TM
`TR
`TT
`UA
`UG
`US
`UZ
`VN
`YU
`ZW
`
`Slovenia
`Slovakia
`Senegal
`Swaziland
`Chad
`Togo
`Tajikistan
`Turkmenistan
`Turkey
`Trinidad and Tobago
`Ukraine
`Uganda
`United States of America
`Uzbekistan
`Viet Nam
`Yugoslavia
`Zimbabwe
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 2
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 2
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`

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`
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`WO 98/06365
`
`PCTIUS97/12447
`
`TAMPON HAVING A RESILIENT MEMBER AND A METHOD OF FORMING THE TAMPON
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a tampon having a resilient member. The invention also
`
`relates to a method of fonning the tampon. More specifically, this invention relates to a
`
`catamenial tampon having a resilient member which is designed to prevent premature
`
`leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina when the tampon is initially inserted into the
`
`woman's vagina. The invention also promotes more efficient material utilization during the
`
`use of the tampon.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Currently, there are two basic types of catamenial tampons used for feminine
`
`hygiene. The first type is a digital tampon which is designed to be inserted into a woman's
`
`vagina directly by the user’s fingers. The second type is a tampon which is designed to be
`
`inserted with the aid of an applicator. Both types are usually made by folding or rolling a
`
`loosely associated strip of absorbent material into an elongated shape often referred to as a
`
`“softwind.” The softwind is then radially and/or biaxially compressed into a pledget. The
`
`pledget may or may not include a cover.
`
`In both types of tampons, a withdrawal string is
`
`attached to the softwind, either before or after compression, to facilitate removal of the
`
`tampon from the user’s vagina after it has absorbed a certain quantity of body fluid, such as
`
`menses, blood, etc.
`
`It has been found that many tampons, both digital as well as those delivered by an
`
`applicator, are unable to prevent premature leakage of body fluid. Premature fluid leakage
`
`can result from a number of factors. One factor is that the tampon does not properly fit
`
`above the introital region of the vagina. A second factor is that the tampon has been
`
`compressed to such an extent that it is unable to open or radially expand rapidly enough
`
`after initial insertion into a woman's vagina to absorb the body fluid which comes into contact
`
`with it. A third factor is that the tampon is not shaped correctly to intercept fluid
`
`flow through the vaginal canal. A fourth factor is that the folds and convolutions of the
`
`vagina are not in contact with the tampon and therefore body fluid is able to bypass the
`
`tampon.
`
`Now a catamenial tampon has been invented which has a resilient feature which will
`
`prevent premature leakage of body fluid immediately after being inserted into a woman's
`
`vagina. A method of forming the tampon is also described.
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 3
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 3
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`

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`
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`W0 93/06355
`
`PCT/US97ll2447
`
`SUMMARY OF THE lNVENTlON
`
`Briefly, this invention relates to a catamenial tampon. The tampon includes an
`
`absorbent and a resilient member which is positioned on or within the absorbent. The
`
`absorbent and resilient member are formed into an elongated softwind having a first end and
`
`a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are
`
`aligned adjacent one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween.
`
`The softwind is then compressed into an elongated pledget having an insertion end and a
`
`trailing end with the insertion end containing more absorbent than the trailing end. The
`
`resilient member is capable of expanding at least a portion of the pledget so as to intercept
`
`fluid flow when the tampon is inserted into a woman’s vagina. The tampon further includes
`
`withdrawal means for removing the tampon from a woman’s vagina. The withdrawal means
`
`is attached to the first and second ends of the pledget.
`
`The method includes the steps of assembling a resilient member and an absorbent to
`
`form a structure having a central longitudinal axis X--X. The resilient member can either be
`
`aligned with or offset from the central longitudinal axis X--X. The absorbent and the resilient
`
`member are then rolled or folded up into an elongated softwind which has a first end and a
`
`second end. The elongated softwind is then folded such that the first and second ends are
`
`aligned adjacent one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween.
`
`The softwind is then compressed into a pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. A
`
`withdrawal string is then secured to pledget to form a tampon. The withdrawal string
`
`facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina.
`
`The general object of this invention is to provide a tampon for absorption of menses,
`
`blood, etc. A more specific object of this invention is to provide a catamenial tampon having
`
`a resilient feature which is designed to prevent premature leakage of body fluid when initially
`
`inserted into a woman's vagina.
`
`Another object of this invention is to provide a method of forming a tampon having a
`
`resilient member.
`
`Another object of this invention is to provide a tampon which springs open
`
`immediately upon insertion into a woman’s vagina to prevent bypass of menses and other
`
`body fluids.
`
`A further object of this invention is to provide a tampon which contains a resilient
`
`member which has the potential to spread open at least a portion of the tampon so that the
`
`tampon will contact a larger cross-section of a woman’s vagina thereby preventing the
`
`bypass of menses and other body fluid.
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 4
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 4
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`

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`WO 98106365
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`PCT/US97/12447
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`Still another object of this invention is to provide a tampon which has dry expansion
`
`capability.
`
`Still further, an object of this invention is to provide a tampon which exhibits reduced
`
`slippage during use.
`
`Still further, an object of this invention is to provide a tampon which is expandable to
`
`fit within the non-circular cross-section of a woman’s vagina.
`
`Still further, an object of this invention is to provide a tampon which better utilizes the
`
`absorbent during use.
`
`Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to
`
`those skilled in the art in view of the following description and the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a resilient member positioned on an absorbent and
`
`aligned along the central longitudinal axis X--X thereof.
`
`Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the absorbent and resilient member shown in Fig. 1
`
`after being rolled or folded into a softwind.
`
`Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment depicting an absorbent,
`
`cover and resilient member being aligned such that the resilient member is offset from the
`
`central longitudinal axis X-X.
`
`Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the absorbent, cover and resilient member shown in
`
`Fig. 3 rolled up into a softwind.
`
`Fig. Sis a side view of the softvvlnd folded into a generally M-shaped profile with the
`
`first and second ends being aligned adjacent to one another and retained by the withdrawal
`
`string.
`
`Fig. 6 is a side view of the softwind shown in Fig. 5 after it has been compressed into
`
`a pledget.
`
`Fig. 7 is a side view of the tampon showing the configuration it attempts to acquire
`
`after it has been inserted into a woman’s vagina.-
`Fig. 8 is a side view of the tampon showing one possible configuration during removal
`
`from a woman’s vagina.
`
`Fig. 9 is a side view of a two piece tampon applicator having an inner tube and an
`
`outer tube.
`
`Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the tampon applicator shown in Fig. 9 depicting
`
`the tampon being retained in the outer tube prior to insertion into a woman’s vagina.
`
`Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of a method of forming a tampon.
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 5
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 5
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`WO 98/06365
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`PCTIUS97ll2447
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`Fig. 12 is a flow diagram of an alternative method of forming a tampon.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring to Fig. 1, one possible way of forming a catamenial tampon 10 is shown
`
`which is useful for absorbing body fluid from a woman's vagina, especially during her
`
`menstrual cycle. The tampon 10 is designed to be inserted above the introital region of a
`
`woman's vagina and is designed to function so as to intercept the fluid flow of menses,
`
`blood, and other body fluids and prevent the fluid from exiting the vagina. The tampon 10
`
`includes an absorbent 12 which may contain a cover 14. The absorbent 12 can be formed
`
`from absorbent fibers which are assembled into an absorbent sheet or ribbon. Alternatively,
`
`the absorbent 12 can be formed from absorbent fibers which are assembled and
`
`compressed into a generally elongated and/or cylindrical configuration. The absorbent 12 is
`
`preferably formed from cellulosic fibers, such as cotton and rayon. The absorbent can be
`
`100% cotton, 100% rayon, or a blend of cotton and rayon fibers. Some blends which have
`
`been tried and work well include a blend of about 15% cotton to about 85% rayon; about
`
`70% cotton to about 30% rayon; about 60% cotton to about 40% rayon; about 25% cotton to
`
`about 75% rayon; and about 6% cotton to about 94% rayon. The particular blend of fibers
`
`can vary depending upon one’s preference.
`
`When cotton fibers are used, the cotton fibers should have a staple length of
`
`between about 5 millimeters (mm) to about 20 mm. The cotton fibers should generally have
`
`a fiber size of between about 150 microns to about 280 microns. The cotton fibers can also
`
`be bleached if desired. Bleaching will make the cotton fibers whiter in appearance.
`
`When rayon fibers are present, the rayon fibers should have a staple length of
`
`between about 20 mm to about 35 mm. The rayon fibers should have a denier of between
`
`about 2 to about 6. Denier is a unit of fineness of yarn based on a standard of 50 milligrams
`
`(mg) for 450 meters of yarn. The rayon fibers can have a circular, a bi-lobal, a tri-lobal cross-
`
`sectional configuration, or some other cross-sectional configuration known to those skilled in
`
`the art. The bi-lobal configuration has a cross-sectional profile which looks like a dog bone
`
`while the tri-lobal configuration has a cross-sectional profile which looks like a “Y”. The rayon
`
`fibers can also be bleached if desired.
`
`The absorbent 12, when formed from an absorbent sheet or ribbon, is constructed
`
`from a blend of cotton and rayon fibers. Two processes for forming such an absorbent sheet
`
`are known as "carding” and “airlaying.” Depending upon the desired absorbency one desires
`
`in the finished tampon, the basis weight of the absorbent sheet can vary. The U.S. Food
`
`and Drug Administration (FDA) has set absorbency standards for ‘junior’, “regular”, “super”
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 6
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 6
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`and “super-plus" size tampons.
`
`In order to meet the FDA standards for these four sizes, the
`
`absorbent sheets are targeted to have basis weights of about 100 grams per square meter
`
`(gsm), 120 gsm, 170 gsm and 230 gsm, respectively. Typically, the carding process is
`
`controlled to produce an absorbent sheet with a width of between about 40 mm to about 60
`
`mm, preferably about 50 mm. The basis weight and/or the length of the absorbent 12 can
`
`also be adjusted to form the different size tampons.
`
`The absorbent 12 can be partially or fully enclosed by a cover 14, preferably a liquid
`
`permeable cover. By “liquld-permeable" it is meant that body fluid is able to pass through the
`
`cover 14 in a quick and efficient manner. The cover 14 can be hydrophilic or hydrophobic.
`
`By "hydrophl|ic" it is meant that the cover 14 has an affinity for absorbing or tending to
`
`combine with water. By “hydrophobic" it is meant the cover 14 is antagonistic to or tending
`
`not to combine with water. The cover 14 can also be treated with a surfactant or other
`
`material to make it hydrophilic or to make it more hydrophilic.
`
`The liquid-perrneable cover 14 can be formed from woven or nonwoven materials
`
`having a porous substrate. Woven materials include textile fabrics which can be made from
`
`rayon, cotton or polyolefins. The polyolefins can be either staple or continuous filaments.
`
`The nonwoven materials can include spunbond, bonded carded webs and hydroentangled
`
`webs. Spunbond and bonded carded webs are commercially sold by Kimberly-Clark
`
`Corporation having an office at 401 N. Lake Street, Neenah, WI 54956. Another nonwoven
`
`material which can be used as the cover 14 is formed from 100% polyester fibers held
`
`together by a binder. This material is known as powder-bonded-carded web (PBCW).
`
`PBCW is commercially available from HDK industries, Inc. having an office at 304 Arcadia
`
`Drive, Greenville, South Carolina 29609. The cover 14 can further be formed from an
`
`apertured thermoplastic film having either a two~dimensional or a three-dimensional
`
`thickness. Apertured thermoplastic films are available from several commercial vendors.
`
`Two such vendors include Pantex Srl, Pantex Sud srl, Via Terracini snc, having an office at
`
`51031 Agliana, Pistoia, Italy and Applied Extrusion Technology having a mailing address of
`
`P.O. Box 582, Middleton, Delaware 19709.
`
`The liquid—permeable cover 14 can be treated with an aqueous solution to reduce
`
`frictional drag, to give the tampon 10 a permanent wettability and to enhance the ease of
`
`insertion into and withdrawal from a woman's vagina. The cover 14 can be treated either
`
`before being rolled or folded up with the absorbent 12 and a resilient member 16 or after a
`
`softwind 18 has been formed. The different types of aqueous solutions which can be used
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 7
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 7
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`WO 98/06365
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`PCTlUS97I12447
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`are known to those skilled in the art. One particular type of aqueous solution is taught in
`
`U.S.S.N. 08/311,692, filed September 23, 1994 and entitled: "TAMPON EXHlBlTlNG LOW
`
`FRICTIONAL DRAG.” This patent application is assigned to Kimberly-Clark Corporation and
`
`is incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.
`
`The tampon 10 further includes a resilient member 16 which is positioned on the top
`
`surface of the absorbent 12. The three vertically stacked members, from top to bottom,
`
`include the resilient member 16, the absorbent 12 and the liquid-perrneable cover 14. The
`
`three members are shown having a rectangular configuration and being symmetrically
`
`aligned relative to a central longitudinal axis X-—X.
`
`It should be noted that the absorbent 12
`
`and cover 14 could have different configurations if desired, for example, an hourglass
`
`configuration. The resilient member 16 should be capable of having what is known as “dry
`
`and wet expansion” characteristics.
`
`In other words, the resilient member 16 should be made
`
`of a material which is capable of expanding back to or towards its original configuration in
`
`either a dry state, a wet state, and preferably, in both a dry and a wet state. Dry expansion
`
`of the resilient member 16 is beneficial in that the tampon 10 does not have to be wetted by
`
`body fluid before the resilient member 16 is capable of expanding. Furthermore, it is
`
`advantageous to employ a material for the resilient member 16 which is capable of
`
`expanding even while the tampon 10 is wetted by body fluid. For purposes of this invention,
`
`the resilient member 16 can be a resilient foam, such as a closed cell foam or an open cell
`
`foam. Other materials from which the resilient member 16 can be made from include
`
`polyethylene oxide (PEO) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The resilient member 16 can also be
`
`formed from resilient fibers such as polyolefin based fibers, polyethylene oxide fibers,
`
`hydrophobic rayon fibers and the like which preferably will have characteristics similar to
`
`those of a resilient foam. The resilient member 16 can also be made or constructed from a
`
`wettable foam. An open cell foam which works well and has good resilient properties is
`
`commercially available under the trade name ACQUELL and is sold by Sentinel Products
`
`Corporation having an office located at 70 Airport Road, Hyannis, Massachusetts 02601. A
`
`polyethylene closed cell foam having good flexibility characteristics also works well. This
`foam is commercially sold under the tradename “VOLARA” and is available from Voltex, a
`
`Division of Sekisui America Corporation, having an office located at 100 Shepard Street,
`
`Lawrence, Massachusetts 01843.
`
`The resilient member 16 can have a square, rectangular, oval, circular, or any other
`
`desired cross-sectional configuration. Preferably, the resilient member 16 will have a uniform
`
`thickness and width.
`
`If desired, the dimensions of the resilient member 16 do not have to be
`
`uniform. As depicted in Fig. 1, the resilient member 16 has a length L, which is less than the
`
`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 8
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 8
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`W0 98/062165
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`PCT/US97/12447
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`length L2 of the absorbent 12. The width W1 of the resilient member 16 is less than the width
`
`W2 of the absorbent 12.
`
`It has been found that a resilient member 16 having a length of
`
`between about 1 inch to about 5 inches (about 25.4 mm to about 127 mm), a width W, of
`
`between about .25 inches to about .50 inches (about 6.3 mm to about 12.7 mm), and a
`
`height H1 of between about 1/16 of an inch to about 1/8 of an inch (about 1.6 mm to about
`
`3.2 mm) works well when positioned on an absorbent 12 having a length L2 of from between
`
`about 3 inches to about 10 inches (about 76 mm to about 254 mm), a width W2 of from
`
`between about 1 inch to about 3 inches (about 25.4 mm to about 76 mm), and a height H2 of
`
`from between about 1/8 of an inch to about 1 inch (about 3.2 mm to about 25.4 mm).
`
`The resilient member 16 can have a length L1 which is only a fraction of the length L2
`
`of the absorbent 12. Alternatively, the resilient member 16 can have a length L1 which is
`
`equal to the length L2 of the absorbent 12.
`
`In Fig. 1, the resilient member 16 is shown
`
`having a length L1 which is equal to about 1/2 of the length L2 of the absorbent 12.
`
`It should
`
`be noted that the resilient member 16 should have a length L1 which is at least 1/3 of the
`
`length L2 of the absorbent ribbon 12, and preferably, at least 1/2 of the length L2 of the
`
`absorbent 12. Alternatively, the resilient member 16 or 16’ can have a length L1 which is
`
`equal to or approximately equal to the length L2 of the absorbent 12, as is depicted in Fig. 3.
`
`Referring to Fig. 2, the absorbent 12, the cover 14 and the resilient member 16 are
`
`shown after they have been rolled or folded into a generally elongated member often
`
`referred to as a “softwind” 18. The softwind 18 has a central longitudinal axis X--X and is an
`
`elongated, tubular shaped member. The softwind 18 can have a circular, square,
`
`rectangular or other cross-sectional profile but preferably is elongated and has a cylindrical
`
`shape. The softwind 18 can have a length of up to about 10 inches (about 254 mm).
`
`Preferably, the softwind 18 has a length of from between about 2 inches to about 8 inches
`
`(about 51 mm to about 203 mm), and most preferably, it has a length of about 6 inches
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`(about 152 mm). The length of the softwind can be varied so as to obtain the various size
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`tampons.
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`When the softwind 18 has a circular cross-section, it can have a diameter ranging
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`from between about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches (about 12.7 mm to about 51 mm), and
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`preferably, will have a diameter of about 1 inch (about 25.4 mm). The specific diameter of
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`the softwind 18 will be dictated by the type of tampon which is to be formed, such as a
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`‘junior’, “regular”, "super", or "super-plus" size tampon. The softwind 18 is not compressed.
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 9
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 9
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`PCT/US97/12447
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`When the absorbent 12, the cover 14 and the resilient member 16 are rolled into the
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`softwind 18, the cover 14 can have a width W3 which is equal to or greater than the width W,
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`of the absorbent 12. A wider width for the cover 14 is preferred for it enables the cover 14 to
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`be wrapped around the exterior surface of the absorbent 12 and overlap upon itself, as
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`indicated at 20.
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`If the width W; of the cover 14 is equal to the width W; of the absorbent 12
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`then the ends of the cover 14 will abut one another. The overlap design for the cover 14 is
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`preferred.
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`Referring again to Fig. 2, the absorbent 12, the cover 14 and the resilient member 16
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`are rolled up or folded into the softwind 18 which has a first end 22 and a second end 24.
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`The first and second ends, 22 and 24 respectively, are spaced apart from each other. Since
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`the resilient member 16 is spaced inward from the first and second ends, 22 and 24
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`respectively, the resilient member 16 is not visible when the softwind 18 is formed.
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`In
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`forming the softwind 18, the cover 14 is depicted as being overlapped upon itself at 20 and
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`can be bonded to itself and/or to the absorbent 12.
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`It should be again mentioned that if the
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`softwind 18 can be formed from the absorbent 12 alone, no cover 14 need be present. The
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`cover 14 can be bonded using heat, pressure, heat and pressure, ultrasonics, an adhesive
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`such as glue, or any other known bonding technique. Alternatively, the cover 14 could be
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`sprayed onto the absorbent 12. The softwind 18 will have an length L; which will be equal to
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`the length L; of the absorbent 12 and the cover 14. Should the cover 14 have a longer
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`length than the absorbent 12, then the softwind 18 would have a length equal to the cover
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`14, unless the ends of the cover 14 are tucked at each end. The length of the cover 14
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`could also be less than L2 to allow for cover drift during manufacture of the softwind 18.
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`Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, an alternative embodiment is shown wherein a tampon 10'
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`is formed by positioning a rectangular sheet of an absorbent 12 over a rectangular sheet of a
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`liquid-permeable cover 14 and then positioning a resilient member 16' on the upper surface
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`of the absorbent 12. The absorbent 12 and the cover 14 both have an equal length L; which
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`is equal to the length of the resilient member 16’. The absorbent 12 has a width W; which is
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`slightly smaller than the width W3 of the cover 14. The resilient member 16’ is offset from the
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`central longitudinal axis X--X such that it is located adjacent to an outside edge of the
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`absorbent 12.
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`In this configuration, it is easier to roll up the absorbent 12, the cover 14 and
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`the resilient member 16’ to form an elongated generally cylindrically shaped softwind 18'.
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`This embodiment also shows that the resilient member 16’ extends from the first end 22 to
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`the second end 24 of the softwind 18’.
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`In this design, the resilient member 16’ is visible at
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`each end 22 and 24 of the softwind 18’. This configuration may be advantageous in that the
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 10
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 10
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`resilient member 16' may be able to outwardly expand the tampon 10’ more fully when the
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`tampon 10’ is initially inserted into the woman's vagina. The extra length of the resilient
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`member 16‘ may allow for a more positive expansion. This embodiment may also be better
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`at preventing or reducing slippage of the tampon 10’ after it has been inserted above the
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`introital region of a woman's vagina, thereby providing superior leakage protection. Another
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`attribute of this embodiment is that the resilient member 16' may only have to have a portion
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`of the resilient characteristic exhibited by the shorter resilient member 16. Comfort to the
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`consumer can thereby be enhanced by using a resilient member 16’ which does not have as
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`much strength in causing the tampon 10’ to expand outward and span across the walls of a
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`woman's vagina.
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`Referring to Fig. 5, the softwind 18 is folded or bent upon itself such that the first and
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`second ends, 22 and 24 respectively, are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind
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`18 contains at least two folds 26 and 28 located therebetween. By being aligned "adjacent
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`to one another” it is meant that the first and second ends, 22 and 24 respectively, are
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`positioned side by side, parallel to one another, offset axially or spaced radially apart from
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`one another, or are positioned in some other type of arrangement whereby the first and
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`second ends, 22 and 24 respectively, are close to one another. Preferably, the softwind 18
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`will contain three folds 26, 28 and 30 which are located between the first and second ends,
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`22 and 24 respectively, to give the softwind 18 a generally M-shaped profile.
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`In the generally
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`M-shaped profile, the softwind 18 is folded at 26 to form a first portion 32 and is folded a
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`second time at 28 to form a second portion 34 and a third portion 36. The first and third
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`portions, 32 and 36 respectively, preferably have approximately the same length, although
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`their lengths can differ as desired.
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`it is also possible to form the first, second and third
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`portions 32, 34 and 36 to have approximately the same length. For example, if the softwind
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`18 has a length of about 6 inches (about 152 mm), each of the portions 32, 34 and 36 can
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`have a length of approximately 2 inches (about 51 mm). The resilient member 16 should
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`have a length such that it can extend between the first and second folds, 26 and 28
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`respectively. Preferably, the resilient member 16 will extend along the length of the second
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`portion 34 and will have a sufficient length such that it will extend beyond the first and
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`second folds, 26 and 28 respectively.
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`It has been found that when the resilient member 16
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`extends beyond the folds 26 and 28 by at least an 1/8 of an inch (about 3.2 mm), and
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`preferably, by at least a 1/4 of an inch (about 6.4 mm), that the resilient member 16 becomes
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`more effective in causing the second portion 34 to span laterally outward once the tampon
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`10 is inserted into a woman’s vagina.
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 11
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`Albaad, Ltd. Exh. 1047 p. 11
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`Referring again to Fig 5, the third fold 30 provides the softwind 18 with the generally
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`M-shaped profile. The third fold 30 can be positioned an equal or an unequal distance
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`between the first and second folds, 26 and 28 respectively. When the third fold 30 is
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`positioned an equal distance between the first and second folds, 26 and 28 respectively, the
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`third fold 30 will be axially aligned along a central longitudinal axis Y--Y, as is shown in Fig.
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`5. The central longitudinal axis Y--Y vertically divides the generally M—shaped profile of the
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`softwind 18 into left and right mirror images.
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`It is also possible to form the third fold 30 closer
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`to either the first or second folds, 26 and 28 respectively, if desired, The third fold 30 causes
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`the second portion 34 of the resilient member 16 to be folded into two parts such that a V-
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`shape is obtained for the second portion 34.
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`The tampon 10 further includes a withdrawal string 38 for assisting in removing the
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`tampon 10 from the woman's vagina. The withdrawal string 38 is attached to the absorbent
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`12, and preferably, to the first and second ends, 22 and 24 respectively, of the softwind 18.
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`One method of attaching the withdrawal string 38 is to form an aperture or hole 40 through
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`the first and third portions 32 and 36, approximate the first and second ends, 22 and 24
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`respectively. The withdrawal string 38 is then threaded through the aperture 40 and looped
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`upon itself so as to cinch it secure to the absorbent 12. The free ends of the withdrawal
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`string 38 are then tied in a knot 42 to assure that the withdrawal string 38 will not separate
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`from the softwind 18. The knot 42 also serves to prevent fraying of the withdrawal string 38
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`and to provide a place or point where a woman can grasp the withdrawal string 38 when she
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`is ready to remove the tampon 10 from her vagina. ~lt should be noted that the withdrawal
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`string 38 holds the first and second ends, 22 and 24 respectively, in direct contact with one
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`another and will limit the amount they can expand while positioned within the woman's
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`vagina.
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`it should be noted that the withdrawal string 38 can be secured to and/or attached to
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`various areas of the softwind 18 an