MXPA03006355A

MXPA03006355A - Catamenial tampon employing composite yarn as withdrawal cord.

Info

Publication number: MXPA03006355A
Application number: MXPA03006355A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Inuyama Hisao
Original assignee: Procter & Gamble
Priority date: 2001-01-25
Filing date: 2002-01-24
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Also published as: WO2002058609A3; PE20021106A1; JP2004528870A; IL156309A0; CA2433654A1; WO2002058609A8; WO2002058609A2; EP1372555A2

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a catamenial tampon, comprising: a primary absorbent member; and a withdrawal cord having a withdrawal portion and an attachment portion. The attachment portion is joined to the primary absorbent member. The withdrawal cord includes a composite yarn which includes a continuous string, and a secondary absorbent member joined to a part of the continuous string. The continuous string which has the secondary absorbent member joined thereto is woven according to a predetermined weaving manner after being provisionally twisted, thereby forming the attachment portion and the withdrawal portion. The present invention is also directed to a composite yarn having thinner portions and thicker portions which are alternatively disposed. The composite yarn comprises: a continuous string; and a plurality of fleeces intermittently joined to the continuous string. The continuous string which has the plurality of fleeces intermittently joined to thereto is woven according to a predetermined weaving manner after being provisionally twisted, thereby forming the thinner portions and thicker portions.

Description

CATAMENIAL TAMPON THAT USES A COMPOUND WIRE AS AN EXTRACTION CORD FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to catamenial buffers. More specifically, the present invention relates to catamenial tampons that employ a composite yarn as an extraction cord. The present invention also relates to a composite yarn having intermittently joined webs thereto and a method for making the same.

BACKGROUND A wide variety of absorbent catamenial tampons have been known in the industry for a long time. Most tampons that are currently commercially available include a piece of tampon material and an extraction cord attached to the piece of material. These buffers are made by compressing the piece of tampon material into a substantially cylindrical shape. In the industry a variety of types and constructions of pieces of buffer material have been described. Prior to compression, the piece of material may be rolled, spirally wound, bent or assembled as a rectangular pad of absorbent material. Buffers made from a piece of generally rectangular material of absorbent material have been very popular and have been very successful in the market. The absorbent catamenial tampons that are currently used, generally have pieces of absorbent tampon material compressed in generally cylindrical form and approximately three-eighths to one-half inch (approximately 1.0-1.3 cm) in diameter and approximately 2 to 7 cm long. These pieces of tampon absorbent material are usually made of cotton wadding of larger size than the vaginal orifice, which is then compressed to the size (with the corresponding increase in stiffness) already indicated, in order to facilitate the introduction. As the fluid is absorbed, it is expected that these compressed tampons will re-expand to their original size prior to compression and eventually become large enough to effectively protect the vaginal cavity against fluid leakage. Most conventional catamenial tampons are provided with an extraction cord that extends out of the wearer's body after insertion and allows the used tampon to be removed and disposed of. Typically, this cord has no other associated function other than that of removing the tampon. International Publication No. WO 00/61052 published October 9, 2000, describes a tampon having a secondary absorbent material in addition to the compressed primary absorbent material. The advantages of the secondary absorbent material described in this publication include the ability of the tampon to absorb the filtered flow in the first stages of use, as well as the ability of the tampon to absorb the residual fluid "expelled" from a previous buffer after be retired Publication WO 00/61052 discloses numerous configurations of this type of secondary absorbent material, comprising those in which the secondary absorbent material is attached to or part of the extraction cord, especially the part of the extraction cord. which is closer to the primary absorbent element of the tampon. While the catamenial buffers listed in WO 00/61052 effectively absorb the filtered flow in the first stages of use and also the "ejected" residual fluid after removing a previous buffer, there is the challenge of providing a tampon of the type which is described in the publication WO 00/61052 having a secondary absorbent element that allows said element to be manufactured at high speeds, and efficiently integrated to the rest of the buffer structure. Based on the above, there is a need for a catamenial tampon that includes an extraction cord with a secondary absorbent element that can be easily integrated into the rest of the tampon at high manufacturing speeds. There is also a need for a composite yarn that can be used in this type of catamenial tampon as well as in other products, and a need for a method for manufacturing this composite yarn.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a catamenial buffer comprising: a primary absorbent element; and an extraction cord having an extraction segment and a joining segment. The joint segment is attached to the primary absorbent element. The extraction cord comprises a composite yarn and includes a continuous cord and a secondary absorbent element attached to a portion of the continuous cord. The continuous cord to which the secondary absorbent element is attached, is woven according to a predetermined fabric configuration after provisionally twisting it thus forming the joining segment and the extraction segment. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a composite yarn having thinner parts and thicker parts that are arranged alternately. The composite yarn comprises: a continuous rope; and a plurality of webs intermittently joined to the continuous cord. The continuous cord to which the webs are intermittently joined, is woven according to a predetermined fabric configuration after provisionally twisting it thus forming the thinnest parts and the thickest parts. In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing a composite yarn having thinner parts and thicker parts that are alternately arranged. The method comprises the steps of: supplying a continuous rope; intermittently joining a plurality of webs to the continuous cord; provisionally twisting the continuous cord which has intermittently joined the plurality of layers; and knitting the continuous rope twisted according to a predetermined fabric configuration. The above responds to the need for a catamenial tampon comprising an extraction cord with a secondary absorbent element that can be easily integrated into the rest of the tampon at high manufacturing speeds. The foregoing also responds to the need for a composite yarn that can be used in this type of catamenial tampon and other products, and a need for a method for manufacturing this composite yarn. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the reading of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Even though the description concludes with the claims that particularly indicate and clearly claim the present invention, it is considered that the present invention will be better understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments considering the drawings in which the same reference numbers are used to cite substantially identical elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a catamenial tampon which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a piece of typical tampon material before compression to transform it into the tampon shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a composite yarn to be used as the tampon withdrawal cord shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a preferred apparatus for making the preferred composite yarn; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the wire meshes that are woven with a tube weaver having a needle; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the wire meshes that are woven with a tube weaver having two needles; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a preferred example of a resulting composite yarn produced from the apparatus of Figure 4; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the front rollers shown in Figure 4 that are supplied with two continuous cords; and Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of the front rollers shown in Figure 4 that are supplied with three continuous cords. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION All references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety by their mere mention. The citation of any of the references does not constitute any admission of its existence as a prior art for the claimed invention. In the present, the meaning of the terms "comprises", "includes" and "contains" implies that other elements and steps may be added that do not affect the final result. These terms include the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of". Here the terms "joined" and "joining" encompass configurations in which one element is directly linked to another by direct attachment of the elements to each other and configurations in which the element is indirectly linked to another by means of the clamping of the element. element to an intermediate element that in turn is subject to the other element. Here, the term "tampon" refers to any type of absorbent structure that is introduced into the vaginal canal or other body cavities to absorb the fluids therein produced. Generally, tampons are made from an absorbent material that has been compressed in either radial, axial or both directions in order to provide a buffer of such size and stability that they allow its introduction into the vagina or other cavity. of the body. In this document, the tampon that has been compressed in this way is said to have a "self-sustaining" form. That is, the degree of compression applied to the absorbent material of the piece of tampon material is sufficient so that later, in the absence of external forces, the resulting tampon will tend to retain its size and general conformation. The person skilled in the art will understand that this self-sustaining form will not necessarily be retained during the actual use of the tampon and will preferably not be retained. That is, once the tampon is introduced and absorbs fluid, it will begin to expand and may lose its self-sustaining form. In this document, the terms "piece of material" or "piece of tampon material" are used interchangeably and refer to a construction of absorbent material prior to compression of that construction to be transformed into a tampon as previously described . Sometimes, pieces of tampon material are also called "softwind" and the intention is that the term "piece of material" includes this term as well. In this document, the terms "vaginal cavity", "inside the vagina" and "inside the vagina" are meant to be synonyms and refer to the internal genitalia of women in the body's pristine region. In this document, the term "vaginal cavity" is meant to refer to the space located between the introitus of the vagina (sometimes called the vaginal sphincter) and the cervix (or neck of the uterus) and is not intended to include the interlabial space, which includes the internal surface of the lobby. The externally visible genitalia are not included in the term "vaginal cavity". Figure 1 is a front view of a catamenial tampon 40 which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. With reference to Figure 1, the tampon 40 has a primary absorbent member (sometimes referred to as an "absorbent core") 41 and an extraction cord 42 attached to the primary absorbent member 41. The primary absorbent member 41 of the tampon 40 has an end of introduction 43 and an extraction end 44. The extraction cord 42 includes (or is formed by) a composite yarn including a continuous cord 61 and a secondary absorbent element 64 attached to a portion of the continuous cord 61. The primary absorbent member 41 it may be compressed in generally cylindrical configuration in radial, axial or both directions. Although the primary absorbent member 41 is preferably compressed in a substantially cylindrical configuration as shown in Figure 1, other conformations are also possible. These conformations can include those of cross section, which can be described as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, semicircular or other appropriate conformations. The primary absorbent 41 of the tampon 40 can be made from any piece of appropriate tampon material. One of the preferred examples of the piece of tampon material 45 is shown in Figure 2. The pull cord 42 has an extraction segment 51 that is used to remove the tampon 40 after use and a joining segment 52 which is used for joining the cord 42 to the primary absorbent member 41 (or to the piece of tampon material 45). The extraction segment 51 includes the continuous cord 61 and the secondary absorbent element 64 attached to the continuous cord 61. The secondary absorbent element 64 and the continuous cord 61 extend towards the piece of tampon material 45 to form the joint segment 52 The extraction cord 42 is attached to the piece of tampon material 45 through the joining segment 52. In a preferred embodiment, the extraction cord 42 is attached to the piece of tampon material 45 prior to compression of the piece of material 45 in a self-sustaining manner (i.e., the formation of absorbent member 41). As an alternative, the extraction cord 42 can be attached to the piece of tampon material 45 simultaneously with the compression of the piece of material 45. In any of the aforementioned forms, the extraction cord 42 preferably does not go compressed; or in case it is compressed, it is not compressed to the same extent as the primary absorbent member 41. The piece of tampon material 45 which is compressed to form the primary absorbent member 41 may have any suitable conformation, size, material and structure. . In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the piece of material 45 is a block of absorbent material having an inverted V-shape. Although the piece of tampon material 45 shown in Fig. 2 generally has an inverted V-shape, other conformations are also acceptable, such as rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular and hemispherical. The piece of material 45 can be formed by a unitary structure element or laminar structure having discrete layers. When the piece of material 45 has such a laminar structure, the layers may be of different materials (or the same materials if desired). For example, one layer mainly includes rayon, while another layer (or layers) mainly includes cotton. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the piece of material 45 has outer layers 46 and at least one intermediate layer 47 positioned between the outer layers 46. Alternatively, the piece of material 45 can have a folded structure, can being rolled, it may have a "petal" structure or any of the other structures known in the art related to pieces of tampon material. The piece of tampon material 45 can be manufactured from a wide variety of liquid absorbent materials and which are commonly used in absorbent articles, such as rayon, cotton or crushed wood pulp generally referred to as air felt. Examples of other suitable absorbent materials are creped cellulose wadding; meltblown polymers including those of coform; chemically hardened, modified or cross-linked cellulosic fibers; synthetic fibers, such as crimped polyester fibers; peat moss; foam; tissue, which includes tissue and tissue laminates; or any equivalent material or combinations of materials or mixtures thereof. Preferred absorbent materials comprise cotton, rayon (including the three-lobed and conventional rayon fibers and needle-punched rayon), folded tissue and woven or non-woven materials of natural or synthetic fibers or both. The piece of tampon material 45 may be of a single material or a combination of these materials. For example, the piece of material 45 can be made of a uniform material from a unitary material of rayon or cotton, or of a mixed material of rayon and cotton. In addition, superabsorbent materials such as superabsorbent polymers or absorbent gelling materials can be incorporated into the buffer. Preferably, the piece of tampon material 45 is formed from a soft absorbent material, such as rayon, cotton (including long cotton fibers or cotton linters) or other suitable natural or synthetic fibers or laminates. The materials for the piece of material 45 may be a cloth, weft or wadding made by any suitable process known in the art, such as airlaying, carding, wet laying, hydroentanglement or other known techniques. The rayon material used in the piece of tampon material 45 can be of any suitable type from those that are generally used in the disposable absorbent articles known in the art. Any suitable cotton material can also be used in the piece of tampon material 45. The appropriate cotton material includes long-fiber cotton, short-fiber cotton, cotton lint, T-fiber cotton, carded strips and carded cotton. Preferably, these cotton materials should be clean and bleached absorbent cotton with a glycerin, leomin or other suitable finish. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 2, the outer layer 46 is a block formed by a rayon material sold by Acordis Fibers Ltd., as Galaxy rayon, while the intermediate layer 47 is a block formed by a material of Cotton sold by Acordis Fibers Ltd.

Where appropriate, the absorbent material of the piece of tampon material 45 may be surrounded by a liquid-permeable shell material. Suitable wrapping materials include rayon, cotton, two-component fibers or other natural or synthetic fibers as are known in the art. The piece of tampon material 45 can be of any size and thickness suitable for compression and formation of a tampon of a size that facilitates its introduction. It has been found that a size similar to that of conventional tampons that are currently commercially available works well. A typical size of these pieces of material may be approximately 9 cm long and approximately 4.5 cm wide. A preferred range for the total basis weight is 150 g / m2 to 750 g / m2 approximately. Optionally, the pieces of material 28 shorter and wider than the aforementioned ranges are also practical in order to facilitate the gradual expansion of the tampon in use. The extraction cord 42 serves to remove the tampon 40 after use. The extraction cord 42 is attached to at least the primary absorbent member 41 and extends beyond the extraction end 44. The extraction cord 42 can be joined in any of the appropriate ways known in the art, such as seam joining, bonding by adhesive or a combination thereof. Preferably, the extraction cord 42 is attached to the primary absorbent member 41 by stitching the joint segment 52 to the piece of tampon material 45 (ie, the primary absorbent member 41) as shown in Figure 2. It can be employ any type of sewing known in the art. In one of the preferred embodiments, the extraction cord 42 is sewn to the piece of tampon material 45 following the type of seam referred to as "double-ring sewing" which is described in the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). No. B 9070.

The entire part of the secondary absorbent element 64 of the extraction cord 42 can be sewn onto the piece of tampon material 45 by means of a thread 48. Preferably, as shown in Fig. 2, it is sewn by means of a thread a part of the secondary absorbent element 64 of the extraction cord 42 in the piece of tampon material 45, but the other part (ie, the unsewn part having a length of, for example, about 1 inch (2.54 cm)) of the secondary absorbent element 64 go outside the piece of tampon material 45 for the best absorption of fluids that can be expelled from the piece of tampon material 45 or the primary absorbent 41. If desired, the entire extraction segment 51 of the extraction cord 42 is further sewn to the joining segment 52. For sewing, any suitable thread of those known in the art can be used. The joining segment 52 of the extraction cord 42 can be attached at any suitable point of the tampon 40. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the joining segment 52 of the extraction cord 42 is attached to the piece of material of buffer 45 so that the extraction segment 51 extends freely beyond the extraction end 44. Preferably, the extraction cord 42 is flexible. Preferably, the extraction cord 42 is absorbent at the attachment site to the primary absorbent member 41 (i.e. at the junction segment 52). Preferably also, the secondary absorbent element 64 is absorbent, however, preferably the remainder of the extraction cord 42 in the extraction segment 51 is non-absorbent. In the present, the term "non-absorbent" refers to a structure that does not retain a significant part of the fluid deposited in its structure. If desired, the complete extraction cord 42 can be made of non-absorbent material. The materials comprising the extraction cord can be intrinsically non-wettable or hydrophobic or can be treated in order to impart these properties to them. For example, a wax coating can be applied to the extraction cord 42 to decrease or eliminate its absorbency. The extraction cord 42 does not necessarily need to lack the capillary effect, even if a nonabsorbent extraction cord is desired. For example, it would be desirable to provide an extraction segment 51 of the extraction cord 42 in which at least a portion of the cord 42 has a tendency to upwardly displace the fluid deposited towards the primary absorbent 41 and the interior of the structure thereof. . The extraction cord 42 does not need to have uniform properties over its entire length. For example, the joining segment 52 of the extraction cord 42 may be absorbent, while the extraction segment 51 of the cord 48 may not be absorbent. Other properties, such as the ability to displace fluids (such as the capillary effect), hydrophilic capacity, density, capillary size, width, thickness and other similar characteristics, may also vary along the extraction cord 42. Preferably, the cord Extraction 42 is provided with a capillary mechanism for liquids to preferentially direct or move the fluid absorbed into the body of the primary absorbent member 41. An example of such a driving force is that produced by a hydrophilic gradient. . Other examples of capillary mechanisms for liquids are the density gradient, the capillary gradient and the osmotic driving force. Optionally, capillary channel fibers can be incorporated into the extraction cord 42 in order to generate the driving force for the absorbed fluid described herein. International Publication No. WO 00/61052 discloses the preferred capillary mechanism for liquids, which preferentially directs the liquid absorbed into the body of the primary absorbent member 41. Preferably, the density of the material of the extraction cord 42 is less than the density of the primary absorbent member 41. Preferably, the extraction cord 42 is not compressed during the formation of the tampon 40. To form a ready-to-use tampon, the piece of tampon material 45 is usually compressed and conditioned by heat by any of the appropriate conventional forms. The pressures and temperatures appropriate for this purpose are well known in the art. Generally, the piece of material 45 is compressed both radially and axially using any of the means widely known in the art. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a composite yarn 60 that is preferably used in the buffer 40 shown in Figure 1, ie, the composite yarn 60 is used as the extraction cord 42 of the buffer 40 after it is cut to an appropriate length. The composite yarn 60 is described in detail below and also its manufacturing process. With reference to Figure 3, the composite yarn 60 has thinner parts 1 and thicker parts 2 arranged alternately and intermittently along the longitudinal axis LA of the composite yarn 60. The thicker part will be used as the secondary absorbent element. 64 of the extraction cord 42 in a catamenial tampon. The composite yarn 60 comprises a continuous cord 61 that forms the thinner parts 1 and the webs 62 that intermittently join the continuous cord 61 to form the thicker parts 2. The webs 62 are the materials for the secondary absorbent member 64. In the present, the term "continuous cord" refers to a cord that continuously passes through a composite yarn along the longitudinal axis of the total extension of the composite yarn. The continuous cord may include a single continuous cord, or if desired, a plurality of continuous cords.

In the present, the term "thinner part" refers to the part of a composite yarn with a smaller diameter than other parts. In the present, the term "thickest part" refers to the part of a composite yarn having a larger diameter than other portions. The length LG1 of the thinner parts 1 and the length LG2 of the thicker parts 2 are appropriately selected so that the cut may have the appropriate length for the extraction segments 51 and the connecting segments 52 of the strands of extraction 42. Preferably, the length LG1 of the thinnest part 1, is about 70 to 200 mm, and the length LG2 of the thickest part 2 is about 30 to 70 mm. These lengths LG1 and LG2 are determined depending on the design of the tampon, including the size and the expected absorbency range of the tampon. The ratio between the diameter of the thinnest part 1 and the thickest part 2 is at least about 1.5 and preferably about 2 to 4. In one of the preferred embodiments, the ratio between the thinnest part 1 and the thicker part 2, is in the range of about 2.5 to 3. The continuous cord 61 can be formed from any material and by any of the methods known in the art for string formation. Among the appropriate materials are synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester; natural fibers, such as cotton; and regenerated fibers, such as rayon. In a preferred embodiment, the continuous cord 61 is made of cotton. One of the preferred materials for the continuous rope includes 6 or 7 layers of bleached cotton that is finished with a repellent material, such as a wax. The webs 62 (i.e., the materials for the secondary absorbent element 64) may be formed by separating a twist from any material known in the art. Suitable materials for twines of this type include yarns or filaments of synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester; yarn of cotton or other natural fibers; and yarns of regenerated fibers, such as rayon. If desired, the same material used for the piece of tampon material 45 can be used for the webs. A preferred apparatus for manufacturing the preferred composite yarn is described below. With reference to Figure 4, a can 11 contains a twister 12. A spool 13 contains a yarn that is wound thereon and will constitute the continuous cord 61. A three-line spinning machine 15 includes front rollers 16, middle rollers 17 and rear rollers 18. The middle 17 and rear rollers 18 are designed to operate in tandem at a predetermined draw ratio. A hollow pre-twist spindle 19 is located below the front rollers 16. A tubular weaver 20 includes a needle 21 and a guide bar 22 driven by a motor 23. A preferred tubular weaver is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication (Kokai) ) open to the public No. H2000-212865. A resulting composite yarn, having thinner parts and thicker parts, is wound after passing through the pick-up rollers 24. In operation, the twine 12 supplied from the can 11 is pulled out at a predetermined draw ratio between the yarns. rear rollers 18 and the middle rollers 17. The twist 12 is then removed by the front rollers 16 rotating at a higher speed than the middle rollers 17. Since the middle rollers 17 and the rear rollers 18 stop rotating simultaneously to a given cycle , a web that is between the front rollers 16 and the middle rollers 17 is cut in the given cycle, whereby the webs 62 of given length are fed intermittently to the front rollers 16. The continuous cord 61 wound on the reel 13 is also fed to the front rollers 16. The intermittently supplied webs having a given length are then attached to the continuous cord 61 intermittently by the front rollers 16.

The continuous cord 61 intermittently joined to the webs 62 (hereinafter referred to as the "intermediate element") is twisted in a preliminary manner in order to increase the strength of the resulting composite yarn 60. Preliminary torsion can be performed, for example, with a V-shaped guide (not shown in Figure 4) attached to the outlet of the hollow spindle 19 by making a loop with the continuous cord 61 intermittently joined to the webs 62 once around the V-shaped guide. After the preliminary twist spindle 19 applies a preliminary twist to the intermediate element (i.e., the continuous cord 61 carrying the joined webs), the twisted intermediate element is immediately woven. in a predetermined tissue form. The predetermined tissue forms include the transverse, horizontal and tubular tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined fabric shape is the tubular fabric, which is made using a tube weaver having, for example, one to four needles. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the wire meshes that are woven with a tubular weaver having a needle. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the wire meshes that are woven with a two-needle tubular weaver. In a preferred embodiment, the twisted intermediate element is woven in accordance with the mesh structure shown in Figure 5. The resulting woven element (i.e., a composite yarn 60) is taken up by the pick-up roller 24 and wound thereon. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an example of the resulting composite yarn 60. The apparatus that is preferably used to produce the preferred composite yarn is offered by Ozeki Techo K. K. (Aichi, Japan) with code No. ON-1001 KNIT SPIN. The apparatus shown in Figure 4 is used to manufacture a composite yarn employing a single continuous string 61. In preferred alternative embodiments, the apparatus shown in Figure 4 can be modified to manufacture a composite yarn employing a plurality of continuous strings . In embodiments of this type, an additional spool (s) containing additional yarn (not shown in the figures) is provided. Such additional coil (s), together with the coil 13, will supply in parallel the plurality of continuous cords to the front rollers 16. In a preferred embodiment, two continuous cords 61a and 61b are supplied in parallel to the front rollers as shown in Figure 8. With reference to Figure 8, the front rollers 16 include an upper roller 16a and a lower roller 16b. The two continuous cords 61 a and 61 b maintained at a predetermined distance (e.g., approximately 4 mm) by a guide, are supplied to the front rollers 16 together with the webs 62 that are supplied intermittently so that the two continuous cords 61 a and 61b sandwich the webs 62 as shown in Figure 8. After the front rollers 16 link the webs 62 to the two continuous cords 61a and 61b intermittently, the intermediate element is preliminarily twisted by the preliminary twist screw. so that the two continuous cords 61a and 61b retain the webs 62 in a spiral form as shown in Figure 8. In a preferred alternative embodiment, three continuous cords 61a, 61b and 61c are supplied in parallel to the front rollers 16 as shown in Figure 9. With reference to Figure 9, the front rollers 16 include an upper roller 16a and a lower roller 16b. The three continuous cords 61 a, 61 b and 61 c maintained by a guide 26 at a predetermined distance from each other (for example approximately 4 mm) are supplied to the front rollers 16 together with the webs 62 which are supplied intermittently in such a way that the three continuous cords 61a, 61b and 61c surround the webs 62 as shown in Figure 9. After the front rollers 16 join the webs 63 to the three continuous cords 61a, 61b and 61c intermittently, the intermediate element is preliminarily twisted by the preliminary twist screw so that the three continuous cords 61a, 61b and 61c keep the webs 62 in a spiral shape as shown in Figure 9. By employing a plurality of continuous cords in a composite yarn, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of dropping lint (or fluff) that may occur in the resulting composite yarn. In addition, by increasing the number of continuous cords (ie, two, three, or more) in a composite yarn, it is possible to produce a more symmetrical composite yarn and also reduce the potential dispersion in the separation and length of the thicker portions of the yarn. resulting compound. The composite yarn 60 produced by the said manufacturing process is cut at appropriate intervals to produce the extraction cords 42 to be used in the buffers 40 of the present invention. The thinner part 1 is used as the extraction segment 51 of the extraction cords 42, while the thicker part 2 is used as the joining segment 52. In one of the preferred embodiments, the composite yarn 60 is cut just after the point where the thickest part 2 of the yarn 60 (which will become the joining segment 52 of the extraction cords 42) is attached to the primary absorbent member 41. Using the composite yarn described as an extraction cord, it can be manufactured quickly and at low cost a catameniai tampon with a secondary absorbent element. In addition, the extraction cord can be easily integrated into the rest of the tampon at high manufacturing speeds. It should be understood that the examples and embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and that various changes and modifications will be apparent to the person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A catamenial tampon, comprising: a primary absorbent element; and an extraction cord having an extraction segment and a joining segment, the joining segment being attached to the primary absorbent element; the extraction cord including a composite yarn comprising a continuous cord and a secondary absorbent member attached to a portion of the continuous cord; wherein the continuous cord that bears the secondary absorbent member is woven according to a predetermined fabric shape after it is provisionally twisted, thereby forming the joining segment and the extraction segment. 2. The catamenial tampon according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined tissue form is the tubular tissue. 3. The catamenial tampon according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the diameter of the joint segment and the extraction segment of the extraction cord is at least about 1.5. 4. The catamenial tampon according to claim 1, wherein the joining segment of the extraction cord is sewn to the primary absorbent member according to a predetermined tissue shape. 5. The catamenial tampon according to claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the extraction segment of the extraction cord is additionally sewn according to a predetermined fabric shape. 6. The catamenial tampon according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined fabric form is the double ring seam that is described in Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) No. B 9070. 7. The catamenial tampon according to claim 1 , wherein the extraction cord has a capillary mechanism for liquids that moves the fluid upward toward the primary absorbent element. 8. The catamenial tampon according to claim 7, wherein the capillary mechanism for liquids is a hydrophilic gradient, a density gradient or a capillary gradient formed in the extraction cord. 9. The catamenial tampon according to claim 1, wherein the secondary absorbent element is a nappa. 10. The catamenial tampon according to claim 1, wherein the continuous bead includes a plurality of cords. 11. A composite yarn having thinner parts and thicker parts that are arranged alternately, comprising: a continuous bead; and a plurality of webs intermittently joined to the continuous cord; wherein the continuous bead carrying the plurality of intermittently joined webs is woven according to a predetermined fabric shape after it is provisionally twisted, thereby forming the thinner parts and the wider parts. The composite yarn according to claim 11, wherein the continuous cord includes a plurality of cords that wall or wrap the plurality of webs. 13. The composite yarn according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined woven form is a tubular woven form. 14. The composite yarn according to claim 11, wherein the diameter ratio between the thickest part and the thinnest part is at least about 1.5. 15. A method for manufacturing a composite yarn having thinner parts and thicker parts that are arranged alternately, comprising the steps of: providing a continuous bead; intermittently joining a plurality of webs to the continuous web; provisionally twisting the continuous cord having the plurality of webs intermittently joined to it; and knitting the continuous twisted cord according to a predetermined fabric shape. 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the continuous bead includes a plurality of cords. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of intermittently joining a plurality of webs to the continuous cord includes the step of guiding the plurality of cords so that the webs are inserted or wrapped by the cords.