Tampon pledget for increased by-pass leakage protection

Abstract

The present invention provides a tampon pledget with one or more of the following properties: increased absorbency rate; high absorbent capacity and fluid retention; rapid expansion potential; and ease of ejection of the pledget from the applicator. Surprisingly, the one or more properties are achieved by using a modified dual cross-pad, folded, compressed tampon pledget design.

1 . A tampon pledget comprising:
 at least one bottom pad;   at least one top pad positioned on said bottom pad;   said bottom pad having a pad weight statistically greater than about 50% of a total weight defined by said pledget; and   said top and bottom pads being folded to form said pledget such that said bottom pad forms an inner core of said pledget and said top pad forms an outer layer of said pledget.   
   
   
       2 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  wherein said bottom pad defines a width and said top pad is position on said bottom pad prior to folding such that said top pad extends longitudinally across said width defined by said bottom pad. 
   
   
       3 . A tampon pledget defined by  claim 2  wherein a longitudinal direction defined by said top pad is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction defined by said bottom pad. 
   
   
       4 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  wherein a fluid intake rate defined by said top pad is greater than a fluid intake rate defined by said bottom pad. 
   
   
       5 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  wherein said tampon pledget defines a lay-up ratio between about 1:1.2 to about 1:2.1. 
   
   
       6 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  wherein said tampon pledget defines a layup ration of 1:1. 
   
   
       7 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  wherein said top and bottom layers are made from at least one of rayon, cotton, absorbent foam, super-absorbent foam, and multilobal fiber. 
   
   
       8 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  further comprising a liquid permeable coverstock or overlay material positioned over the outer layer. 
   
   
       9 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  wherein said overlay or coverstock material is formed of at least one of rayon, cotton bicomponent fibers, polyethylene, and polypropylene. 
   
   
       10 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 1  further comprising a withdrawal cord. 
   
   
       11 . A tampon pledget as defined by  claim 10  wherein said withdrawal cord comprises an anti-wick coating.