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US4056103A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Wrapper structure for tampons containing superabsorbent material

Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
•
Filing: 1977-03-11
•
Granted: 1977-11-01
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Expires: 1997-03-11
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Abstract

Abstract An improved wrapper structure for tampons containing superabsorbent material. The wrapper provides the used tampon with a fluid-lubricated surface to ease withdrawal. The wrapper is a fluid-permeable web material having a saline fluid retention capacity sufficient to partially counteract the high capillary suction pressure exerted by superabsorbent fibers in the tampon core and thereby retain enough fluid in the wrapper during use to maintain the surface fibers of the wrapper in soft, lubricous condition.

Inventors

  • 👤 Leonard M. Kaczmarzyk
  • 👤 James J. Hlaban
  • 👤 Patricia J. McKelvey

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 23:56
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2051; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/22; A61L15/225; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 112 words
In a tampon comprised of an absorbent core containing superabsorbent materials and a fluid-permeable wrapper enclosing said core and in which said superabsorbent material has a suction pressure in the range of 25 cm. of H 2 O or more when 5 ml. of physiological saline fluid are absorbed per gram of fiber, means for providing ease of withdrawal of the tampon comprising a body fluid lubricable wrapper material having a fluid retention capacity of 30% or more, said fluid retention capacity being the percent saline solution retained in the wrapper material at equilibrium conditions when said wrapper is in simulated contact with a superabsorbent material containing 100% saline solution by weight.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 112 words
In a tampon comprised of an absorbent core containing superabsorbent materials and a fluid-permeable wrapper enclosing said core and in which said superabsorbent material has a suction pressure in the range of 25 cm. of H 2 O or more when 5 ml. of physiological saline fluid are absorbed per gram of fiber, means for providing ease of withdrawal of the tampon comprising a body fluid lubricable wrapper material having a fluid retention capacity of 30% or more, said fluid retention capacity being the percent saline solution retained in the wrapper material at equilibrium conditions when said wrapper is in simulated contact with a superabsorbent material containing 100% saline solution by weight.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 19 words
The tampon of claim 1 in which the wrapper material has a fluid retention capacity of at least 60%.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 59 words
The tampon of claim 1 wherein said wrapper material comprises a non-woven web in which the components are selected from the group consisting of rayon or cotton fibers or a mixture thereof, a mixture of cotton, rayon and polyester fibers with or without superabsorbent fibers, and any of the above-mentioned fibers or fiber combinations reinforced by a nylon scrim.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
The tampon of claim 1 wherein said wrapper material comprises a bonded carded rayon web having a weight of from 8 to 17 grams per square yard.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
The tampon of claim 1 wherein said wrapper material comprises a nylon scrim combined with a web comprised of from 8 to 17 gm./sq. yd. of rayon fibers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 37 words
The tampon of claim 1 wherein said wrapper material comprises a nylon scrim combined with a web comprised of from 8 to 17 gm./sq. yd. of a blend of equal amounts of cotton, rayon, and polyester fibers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The tampon of claim 1 wherein said wrapper material comprises a web made from a blend of cotton, rayon, polyester and superabsorbent fibers and the weight of said web is from 8 to 17 grams per square yard.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3811445A Cited
US3815601A Cited
US3902493A Cited
US3932322A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1980-10-31 1981-05-02 1981-11-01 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1984-10-31 1985-05-02 1985-11-01 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1988-10-31 1989-05-02 1989-11-01 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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