MX9707255A - Tampon having a protective finger sheath and a method of forming. - Google Patents

Abstract

A tampon having a protective finger sheath is disclosed along with a method of forming the tampon. The tampon is constructed from an absorbent having a first end and a second end. An L-shaped cover having a leg. A foot and a central longitudinal axis is aligned with the absorbent such that the foot is aligned adjacent to the second end of the absorbent. Both the absorbent and the cover are rolled or wound up along the central longitudinal axis of the absorbent-cover combination into a cylindrically shaped softwind which is compressed into an absorbent pledget. The absorbent pledget has a predetermined diameter, an insertion end and a trailing end, and a flexible sheath which extends outward from the trailing end. The flexible sheath is sized to receive a user's finger and prevent soiling of the finger during insertion of the absorbent piedget into a body cavity. The flexible sheath also enables the absorbent piedget to be removed from the body cavity in a clean and easy manner. The method of forming the tampon is also disclosed. The method includes forming an absorbent ribbon having a predetermined width. Positioning the absorbent ribbon over a cover such that a portion of the cover extends beyond the width of the absorbent ribbon. The absorbent ribbon and the cover are then cut to a desired length and both materials are rolled into a cylindrically shaped softwind. The softwind is then compressed into an absorbent piedget having an insertion end, a trailing end and a flexible sheath which extends outward from the trailing end.