Abstract

A catamenial tampon having as the absorbent element a resiliently compressible hydrophilic foam member, including foam-fiber composites, enclosed in an elongate, closed-end sleeve of fluid-permeable sheet material, assembled in a manner to improve withdrawal characteristics after use. The foam member is made up of an oblong rectangular strip of resiliently compressible hydrophilic polyurethane foam curled or rolled up along its length into a shape which proximates that of a hollow right cylinder in which the ends of the curled up foam strip forming the cylinder are in contact or overlap but are free of attachment to each other. The approximate cylindrical shape of the foam member is maintained by confinement inside one end of a loosely-fitting sleeve. The long axis of the sleeve coincides with the axis of the foam cylinder and the sleeve length is substantially greater than the length of the cylinder. The opposite unoccupied end of the sleeve is gathered and secured together to provide a tapered withdrawal end to which a withdrawal string is attached.