Pre-expanded tampon pledget

Abstract

A pre-expanded tampon pledget is formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.

1 . A pre-expanded tampon pledget having a density about 0.01 g/cc to about 0.31 g/cc and an absorbency about 6 grams to about 9 grams. 
   
   
       2 . The pre-expanded pledget of  claim 1 , wherein the tampon pledget comprises a cellulosic fiber. 
   
   
       3 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 1 , wherein said absorbency is achieved without the use of a transfer layer. 
   
   
       4 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 1 , wherein the tampon pledget has a volume about 7 cc to about 12 cc. 
   
   
       5 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 2 , wherein said cellulosic fiber is present in the tampon pledget in an amount about 1.6 grams to about 2.4 grams. 
   
   
       6 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 1 , wherein the tampon pledget has a diameter in an initial condition about 0.5 inches to about 0.8 inches. 
   
   
       7 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 1 , wherein the tampon pledget has a cross-pad construction. 
   
   
       8 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 1 , wherein the tampon pledget has a radial construction. 
   
   
       9 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 1 , wherein the tampon pledget has a flat pad construction. 
   
   
       10 . A pre-expanded tampon pledget having a density about 0.01 g/cc to about 0.32 g/cc and an absorbency about 9 grams to about 12 grams. 
   
   
       11 . The pre-expanded pledget of  claim 10 , wherein the tampon pledget comprises a cellulosic fiber. 
   
   
       12 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 10 , wherein said absorbency is achieved without the use of a transfer layer. 
   
   
       13 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 10 , wherein the tampon pledget has a volume about 9 cc to about 14 cc. 
   
   
       14 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 11 , wherein said cellulosic fiber is present in the tampon pledget in an amount about 2.25 grams to about 2.75 grams. 
   
   
       15 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 10 , wherein the tampon pledget has a diameter in an initial condition about 0.65 inches to about 0.8 inches. 
   
   
       16 . A pre-expanded tampon pledget having a density about 0.01 g/cc to about 0.35 g/cc and an absorbency about 12 grams to about 15 grams. 
   
   
       17 . The pre-expanded pledget of  claim 16 , wherein the tampon pledget comprises a cellulosic fiber. 
   
   
       18 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 16 , wherein the tampon pledget has a volume about 10 cc to about 15 cc. 
   
   
       19 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 17 , wherein said cellulosic fiber is present in the tampon pledget in an amount about 3 grams to about 3.5 grams. 
   
   
       20 . The pre-expanded tampon pledget of  claim 16 , wherein the tampon pledget has a diameter in an initial condition about 0.65 inches to about 0.8 inches.