DE2550730B2 - Feminine hygiene tampon - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a tampon for feminine hygiene, which consists of a spiral wound and a multi-layer strip made of absorbent material and equipped with a withdrawal thread and is compressed by radial pressing.

Such tampons are known from German patent 804835, for example. That one The tampon described consists of a spiral wound and then radially pressed two-layer web, of which the outer layer, for example, made of cotton wool and the inner layer of a strong one absorbent pulp material is built up. The tampon has the advantage that it is arranged inside highly absorbent, but slightly fibrous cellulose material does not come into contact with the body cavity when used can come into contact.

From the German Offenlegungsschrift 2234183 is a multilayer tampon known, the tampon core of which is a rod-shaped, at its the tampon insertion end facing end of expanded molded body made of organic, back-impact elastic Material, preferably hydrophilic flexible polyurethane foam is. The tampon cover consists of an absorbent fiber material, preferably cell • wool and / or cotton fibers. The design of this tampon is intended to ensure that the tampon is at

ίο Use unfolded funnel-shaped. This is because of this causes the upwardly expanded molded body made of flexible polyurethane foam that is present inside the tampon expands upon wetting and thereby the surrounding fibrous material, the bandage of which is also loosened by the wetting, drifts apart.

From British patent 1081181 is already a radially compressed Mefrschichtentampon known, whose individual layers different absorbency exhibit. At least one layer consists of cotton and at least one more Layer of fibrous pulp material. The layers are put together so that the finished tampon the Baijmwoll layer is on the outside and thus the cellulose layer, which is easier to shred again, is inside yours Holding together.

From the German Offenlegungsschrift 1491240 single-layer tampons are known, which consist of the hydrophilic polyurethane foam. the

3d foam bodies are used in the manufacture with a Polyethylene glycol solution soaked, pressed and dried. The dried foam bodies are placed in a hose, heated to 80 to 90 ° C and pressed into sticks in a press. After cooling under pressure, they get their compressed shape under the action of the thermoplastic fixative polyethylene glycol. The fixative dissolves when it comes into contact with water and stretch the polyurethane foam bodies

4 (i reveals itself under water absorption.

Multi-layer tampons of the previously known type have various disadvantages. An essential one The disadvantage is that the two are different composite material layers lie next to each other without further connection and thereby Separation zones are present that allow the undisturbed transfer of the liquid to be absorbed by the tampon impede. The disadvantage can be alleviated to a certain extent by the fact that higher press

5 (i presses can be applied. But this is on the other hand Again, undesirable because this makes the tampon harder on the one hand and the ability to recover on the other hand is reduced in the acted upon state. "Recovery ability" is the property of the secretion-loaded tampon understood, after squeezing z. B. by 50% of the dimension when wet to expand again to the highest possible amount of its original dimensions.

6 (i The task is therefore to create a multi-layer tampon to propose the construction described, in which the disadvantages mentioned do not exist, So in which the liquid absorbency is at least in the range of completely textile tampons

h5 and which improves the ability to recover is.

To solve this problem, a tampon is assumed that consists of a spiral

wrapped multilayer strips of differently absorbent materials equipped with a withdrawal thread Materials consists, and is compressed by radial pressing. The tampon is characterized by that the multilayer strip consists of offsnzelligem flexible polyurethane foam, the one or is needled with fiber fleece on both sides.

The needling of the two materials, which is known per se, ensures that they are largely are permanently connected to each other. As is well known, the needling causes individual fibers or Fiber bundles of the nonwoven fabric are drawn deep into the foam layer and this in the manner of Penetrate wicks. The two layers unite to form a practically inseparable unit, which does not separate even when the finished tampon is moistened. The structure also has the Advantage that separation zones, which the liquid Trarssport blocking into the inside of the tampon should be avoided.

In the case of tampons of the type according to the invention, there is the possibility that the pressed roll will be particularly gradually expands during prolonged storage and becomes looser as a result. It is this on the so-called Uprising ability, i.e. the rebound resilience - in this case in the dry state - of the flexible polyurethane foam which is much more pronounced in flexible foams than with pressed cotton and viscose fibers. This property of the PU foam is when used -i <· of the tampon is desirable. However, the property can be undesirable when storing the tampon, especially in the unpacked state. To keep the tampon together during this time, it is suggested into the open cells of the polyurethane .'5 soft foam and / or into the fiber fleece store thermoplastic fixing aid. as such come, for example, polyethylene glycol with a molar weight of 4000 or similar water-soluble polymeric substances into consideration.

From the nature of the flexible polyurethane foam it follows that strips made from this material, too if they are needled with fibers made of cotton and / or viscose viscose, behave differently than pure Cotton or rayon fiber strips. The bobbins made from such materials tend, for example to a greater extent to straighten up again than is the case with cotton or cellulose strips the case is. In order to counteract this property, which may be disruptive during production, suggested that the tampon stapled at its lower end through all layers of its wrap is. The stapling is suitable for holding the roll together until it has already passed through The radial pressure mentioned is finally sufficiently compressed and then no longer shows any tendency to arise to straighten up in short times.

To produce the proposed tampon, the procedure is that first a PU foam sheet Needled with fiber fleece on one or both sides, then a strip of sufficient width and length cut off, this connected with a return thread, wound up spirally, stapled and in a radial direction Direction to the tampon is pressed. The pressing can be done cold or warm, depending on <> 5 the desired result.

If the mentioned fixing aid is to be introduced, this can be done before or after needling be applied with the fiber fleece. If the fixing aid is applied before needling, so it is preferably stored in the open cells of the PU foam. With subsequent application the fixing aid is preferably absorbed by the needled fiber fleece and only to a small extent Part passed on to the open cells of the PU foam. In any case, however, it is able to to fulfill its function.

Depending on the structure of the tampon and whether or not a fixing aid is available the compression treatment of the roll carried out at room temperature or at an elevated temperature. Should in are pressed at room temperature in each case, so is it to activate the fixing aid possible to subsequently subject the pressed tampon to a heat treatment in which the tampon must be heated to temperatures at which the fixing aid melts or at least at least softened.

Production and properties of the proposed tampon are explained below with the aid of some Exemplary embodiments explained in more detail:

example 1

A block of open-cell, hydrophilic polyurethane foam with a density of 35 kg / m ³ was divided into 2 mm thick strips. Powdery polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 4000 and a particle size of 200-300 μ was blown onto the strips obtained until H)% by weight of the sheet weight of polyethylene glycol had precipitated in the open cells.

Independently of this, a fleece with a weight per unit area of 233 g / m ^{: was} produced from cellulose fibers of 1.7 dtex and a staple length of 50 mm on a carding machine.

Both webs of material were joined together under slight pressure and in a needle holder! needled with a stitch density of 40 stitches per cm ^2.

Sheets 48 mm wide and 185 mm long were cut from the composite material obtained. The webs weighed 2.87 g.

A pulling thread was sewn onto the webs in the middle of the strips and the The strips are then wound up using a winding fork. The resulting lap was in the distance sewn with a tack stitch from 4 mm from the end of the pad.

The roll produced in this way was then introduced into a radial press and pressed at room temperature with a pressure of 5 kg / cm ² . Immediately thereafter, the pressed body produced was transferred to a heat treatment sleeve and heated there to 80.degree. After cooling, which was carried out with mechanical fixation, there was a tampon which was sufficiently firm to be inserted without an applicator.

Example 2

The procedure was the same as described in Example '. With the foam sheet of 2 mm thickness, however, two cellular wool ^{fleeces of 38 g / m 2} surface weight each were needled. In this case, too, the strips were separated so that they weighed 2.87 g.

Example 3

In order to obtain a comparison tampon, the procedure described in Example 1 was basically followed. However, two cellular wool fleeces each with a weight of ^{117 g / m 2 were needled together.} The addition of a foam layer was dispensed with.

The cut length was 184-200 mm and it was dimensioned to support the weight of each blank was also 2.87 g.

Comparative measurements

The tampons produced were filled with a blood substitute fluid under a counter pressure of 170 mm water column applied with a viscosity of 10 cP. After a suction time of 15 minutes, the following Measured liquid absorption:

Example 1 16.6 g of liquid per tampon
Example 2 17.8 g of liquid per tampon
Example 3 16.3 g of liquid per tampon
The figures show that the tampons according to Examples 1 and 2, which were thus produced using PU foam, show practically the same, in fact even better, liquid absorption values. However, they differ considerably in terms of their ability to recover. When carrying out the experiments described above, the tampons swell from 12 mm in diameter to about 21-23 mm. A lateral load can be used to compress it to about half, i.e. about the dry cross-section, and then relieve it again. The recovery rate for the fibrous tampon is 74.4% and for the composite tampon according to the invention it is 97%. In practice, this means that the tampon according to the invention can adapt to physiologically determined spatial conditions in the body cavity much better than is the case with the uniformly composed fiber tampon.

The tampon according to the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the tampon,

2 shows a cross section of the multilayer strip used,

Fig. 3 is a perspective top view of a

κι multi-layer strips with folded return thread.

Fig. 1 shows that the tampon shown

consists of the pressed bobbin 1, which at its lower end 2 all the layers of the Has wraparound basting stitch 3. The tampon also has a withdrawal thread 4 on, which is preferably knotted at the lower end 5.

The winding body 1 consists of a wound multilayer strip 6, which in turn consists of a

2n a strip 7 made of open-cell flexible polyurethane foam consists in the in Fi g. 2, the example shown is needled on both sides with layers 8 of fiber fleece is. The layers 8 extend deep into the PU foam strip as a result of the needling process 7 and form wick-like fiber bridges9 there.

During the manufacture of the tampon, the multilayer strips 6 are made from the completely needled Multi-layer material cut out. The return thread 4 is then sewn on or - as in FIG. 3 shown - turned inside out. The strip is then in a known manner with the help of a winding fork Spirally wound into a roll, sewn at the lower end (basting stitch 3) and finally as known and also described pressed in a radial press to form the finished tampon shown in FIG.

1 sheet of drawings

Claims (6)

Patent claims: 1. Feminine hygiene tampon, which consists of a spiral wound, with a Multi-layer strips made of different absorbent materials and equipped with a return thread consists and is compacted by radial pressing, characterized in that the multilayer strip (6) consists of open-cell flexible polyurethane foam, which is needled with a fiber fleece on one or both sides. 2. Tampon according to claim 1, characterized in that in the open cells of the flexible polyurethane foam and / or a thermoplastic fixing aid is embedded in the fiber fleece. 3. Tampon according to claim 1, characterized in that the tampon at its lower end (2) is stapled through all layers of its wrap. 4. A method for producing a tampon according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized characterized in that a PU foam web needled one or both sides with fiber fleece, then cut off a strip of sufficient width and length, this with a withdrawal thread connected, spirally wound, stapled and pressed in the radial direction to form the tampon will. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the PU foam sheet before or loaded with a thermoplastic fixing aid after needling with fiber fleece and the strips cut out of it after winding and pressing in one for tying of the fixing aid are heat-treated at a sufficient temperature. 6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the PU foam sheet before or after needling, loaded with nonwoven fabric with a thermoplastic fixing aid and the strips cut out from it after winding in the radial direction at a for Setting of the fixing aid can be hot-pressed at a sufficient temperature.