TAMPON HAVING A RESILIENT MEMBER AND A METHOD OF FORMING THE TAMPON

A tampon is disclosed which is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina especially during her menstrual period. The tampon includes an absorbent and a resilient member. The resilient member is positioned on or within the absorbent and both members are rolled or formed into an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is compressed into an elongated pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. The resilient member is capable of expanding at least a portion of the pledget so as to prevent premature leakage of body fluid when inserted into a woman's vagina. The tampon further includes a withdrawal string for removing the tampon from a woman's vagina. The withdrawal string is attached to the first and second ends of the softwind. The method includes the steps of assembling a resilient member and an absorbent to form a structure having a central longitudinal axis X--X. The resilient member can be either aligned with or offset from the central longitudinal axis X--X. The absorbent and the resilient member are rolled or folded up into an elongated softwind which has a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is then compressed into a pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. A withdrawal string is secured to the pledget to form a tampon. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the tampon from the woman's vagina.