Catamenial device

Abstract

An improvement in a tampon for absorbing menstrual fluids in which a capillary wick of non-absorbing material extends into the interior body of the tampon. The wick acts as a capillary transport to carry fluids to the core of the tampon body, thus using the absorptive capacity of the unexposed cotton.

I claim: 
     
       1. A rolled cylindrical tampon .Iadd.having means for conducting body fluid to the interior thereof, said tampon .Iaddend.comprising a first sheet of absorbent material, .Iadd.and .Iaddend.a second sheet of .[.non-absorbtive.]. .Iadd.relatively non-absorbent wick-like .Iaddend.synthetic woven material superimposed on one face of said first sheet and extending beyond at least one edge of said first sheet.Iadd., said first and second sheets being rolled into a cylinder having its outer cylindrical surface formed by a portion of said first sheet and having the non-extending portion of said second sheet disposed entirely within said outer surface, .Iaddend. .[.whereby.]. .Iadd.so that .Iaddend.upon rolling said .[.sheet.]. .Iadd.sheets .Iaddend.into a cylinder said second sheet .[.will act as.]. .Iadd.forms .Iaddend.a spiral wick to the interior of said cylinder. .Iadd. 2. In an intravaginal tampon, the combination of first means for absorbing menstrual fluid and having an outer body of material absorbent to such fluid and with top and bottom ends, and second means for transporting menstrual fluid from said top end of said tampon body directly into the interior of said body, said second means comprising a relatively non-absorptive wick element disposed within and in contact with the interior of said outer body and extending from said top end thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 3. In a tampon as defined in claim 2, the further improvement wherein said wick element is constructed of a material substantially nonabsorbent to such menstrual fluid. .Iaddend..Iadd. 4. In a tampon as defined in claim 3, the further improvement wherein said wick element is structured to pass menstrual fluid therethrough by capillary action. .Iaddend..Iadd. 5. In a tampon as defined in claim 4, the further improvement in which said wick element is a woven synthetic material having interstices which form capillary avenues for transportation of such menstrual fluid. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 6. In a tampon as defined in claim 2, the further improvement wherein said wick element protrudes beyond said body of absorbent material at said top end thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 7. In a tampon as defined in claim 6, the further improvement wherein said wick element is constructed of a material substantially nonabsorbent to such menstrual fluid. .Iaddend..Iadd. 8. In a tampon as defined in claim 7, the further improvement wherein said wick element is structured to pass menstrual fluid therethrough by capillary action. .Iaddend..Iadd. 9. In a tampon as defined in claim 8, the further improvement in which said wick element is a woven synthetic material having interstices which form capillary avenues for transportation of such menstrual fluid. .Iaddend..Iadd. 10. In a tampon as defined in claim 2, the further improvement wherein said wick element extends within the interior of said body from the top end thereof in the direction toward, but only part of the distance to, the bottom end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 11. An intravaginal catamenial tampon comprising A. an outer member including a body of material absorbent to menstrual fluids, and having opposed top and bottom ends and outside surfaces therebetween, and   B. an inner member including a relatively nonabsorbent fluid-transporting element for carrying menstrual fluids to the interior of said body from said top end thereof, said transporting element being in contact with said body and disposed within the interior of said body from said outside surfaces and extending from only the top end thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 12. A tampon as defined in claim 11 further characterized in that said transporting element is of a material substantially nonabsorbent to such menstrual fluids and is structured for transporting such fluid therethrough by capillary action. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. A tampon according to claim 12 further characterized in that said transporting element is woven of synthetic material and has interstices which form capillary menstrual fluid-transporting avenues. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 14. A tampon according to claim 11 further characterized in that said transporting element protrudes beyond said body of absorbent material at said top end thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. A tampon as defined in claim 14, further characterized in that said transporting element is of a material substantially nonabsorbent to such menstrual fluids and is structured for transporting such fluid therethrough by capillary action. .Iaddend..Iadd. 16. A tampon according to claim 15 further characterized in that said transporting element is woven of synthetic material and has interstices which form capillary menstrual fluid-transporting avenues. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. A tampon according to claim 11 further characterized in that said transporting element extends within the interior of said body from the top end thereof in the direction toward, but only part of the distance to, the bottom thereof. .Iaddend.