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Abstract

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 liquid-permeable cover. The cover at least partially surrounds the absorbent, and together they form an elongated softwind having a first end and a second end. The softwind is folded upon itself at a minimum of two spaced apart locations to form an M-shaped profile. The M-shaped profile is then compressed into a cylindrically shaped pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end. The insertion end contains a greater amount of absorbent than the trailing end and has a cleft formed therein as a result of the folding. The cleft causes the pledget to laterally expand immediately upon insertion of the tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon further includes a withdrawal string which facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina. In one aspect, the first end of the softwind held and secured adjacent to the second end by the withdrawal string forms the trailing end of the tampon and restricts expansion of the tampon at its trailing end.

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First Claim