Patterned Tampon

Abstract

A tampon including a compressed pledget of absorbent material. The tampon has a body portion and a longitudinal axis, wherein the tampon includes at least one patterned impression with one or more design elements oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least one design element is formed by contact with at least one corresponding pattern including at least one lead in portion. An apparatus for making the tampon is also disclosed.

1 . A tampon comprising a compressed pledget of absorbent material, the tampon having a body portion and a longitudinal axis, wherein the tampon comprises at least one patterned impression comprising one or more design elements with a portion of the design element oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, wherein at least one design element is formed by contact with at least one corresponding mold pattern comprising at least one lead in portion. 
     
     
         2 . The tampon of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more design elements comprise at least one of the following: a concave-shape or a convex-shape, a combination concave and convex shape, lines, chevrons, rain drops, peanuts, waves, dimples, concentric circles, cross-hatching, stars, polygons, triangles, rings, lines, rectangles, petals, ellipsoids, tear drops, letters, or waves. 
     
     
         3 . The tampon of  claim 1 , comprising a width to thickness ratio of approximately 1.0:1.0 to approximately 1.8:1.0. 
     
     
         4 . The tampon of  claim 1 , wherein the height or depth of the patterned impression is between approximately 0.25 mm to approximately 4.0 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The tampon of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lead in portion comprises a length between approximately 1 to 3 times the height or depth of the pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The tampon of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one corresponding mold pattern further comprises at least one trailing portion. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for making a tampon comprising:
 a compression machine for receiving and compressing an uncompressed pledget of absorbent material so as to form a compressed pledget;   a tampon mold having a mold cavity for receiving the compressed pledget of absorbent material, wherein the tampon mold comprises at least one pattern comprising at least a portion oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the compressed pledget, wherein the at least one pattern comprises at least one lead in portion to one or more design elements; and   a compression member for pushing the compressed pledget into the tampon mold cavity.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one lead in portion comprises a length between approximately 1 to 3 times the height or depth of the pattern. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pattern comprises at least one trailing portion. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pattern comprises one or more design elements comprising at least one of the following: a concave-shape, a convex-shape, a combination concave and convex shape, lines, chevrons, rain drops, peanuts, waves, dimples, concentric circles, cross-hatching, stars, polygons, triangles, rings, lines, rectangles, petals, ellipsoids, tear drops, letters, or waves. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pattern comprises offset design elements on opposing sides of the mold cavity. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one pattern is between approximately 0.25 mm to approximately 4.0 mm in height or depth. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a stabilization member for stabilizing the compressed pledget prior to removing the compressed tampon from the tampon mold.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the tampon mold can be opened to preserve a corresponding pattern impression associated with the compressed pledget.