Tampon having an apertured film cover

Abstract

An absorbent tampon has improved ease of insertion into and removal from a body cavity. This is accomplished by covering at least a portion of the outer surface of the tampon with an apertured polymeric formed film. The apertured formed film provides a smooth land area on the outermost surface of the tampon for gentle, nondrying passage along the vaginal walls. The apertures in the film allow fluid to pass through the cover and into the absorbent core, where the fluid is held to prevent leakage.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A tampon comprising a generally elongated absorbent core comprising absorbent material, and an outer cover comprising an apertured polymeric formed film, the apertured polymeric formed film comprising a land region having a multiplicity of openings therein; each said opening being defined by a first aperture and sidewalls extending in a substantially uniform direction from the first aperture and terminating in a second aperture; and open area formed cumulatively by the second apertures comprising less than about 35% of the surface area of the apertured polymeric formed film; wherein the outer cover is oriented on the tampon such that the second apertures are adjacent the absorbent core.  
     
     
         2 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the second apertures are bridged by polymeric fibrils.  
     
     
         3 . The tampon of  claim 2  wherein at least 50% of the second apertures are bridged by polymeric fibrils.  
     
     
         4 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent core has at least one generally elongated surface, the outer cover being present over a substantial portion of the at least one generally elongated surface.  
     
     
         5 . The tampon of  claim 4  wherein the absorbent core has two end surfaces, at least one end surface being substantially covered by the outer cover.  
     
     
         6 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent core comprises absorbent fibers.  
     
     
         7 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein the apertured polymeric formed film comprises a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate and polypropylene.  
     
     
         8 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein the apertured polymeric formed film comprises a blend of polypropylene and low density polyethylene.  
     
     
         9 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein the absorbent core is generally cylindrical.  
     
     
         10 . The tampon of  claim 1  wherein the open area comprises about 2% to about 35% of the surface area of the apertured polymeric formed film.  
     
     
         11 . The tampon of  claim 10  wherein the open area comprises about 2% to about 25% of the surface area of the apertured polymeric formed film.  
     
     
         12 . A method of making a tampon having a generally elongated absorbent core and an outer cover of apertured polymeric formed film, the method comprising: 
 forming a portion of absorbent material into a generally elongated blank having a generally elongated surface and two end surfaces;    applying a length of apertured polymeric formed film to the absorbent material such that the film substantially covers the generally elongated surface to form a covered blank;    attaching a withdrawal cord to the blank; and    compressing the covered blank.;    wherein the apertured polymeric formed film comprises a land region having a multiplicity of openings therein, each said opening being defined by a first aperture, and sidewalls extending in a uniform direction and terminating in a second aperture; and open area formed cumulatively by the second apertures comprising less than about 35% of the surface area of the apertured polymeric formed film.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the length of apertured polymeric formed film is applied before the absorbent material is formed into a generally elongated blank.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the length of apertured polymeric formed film is applied after the absorbent material is formed into a generally elongated blank.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the length of apertured polymeric formed film further covers at least one end surface.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the absorbent core is generally cylindrical.