A tampon showing improved leakage protection through improved expansion
characteristics is disclosed. The tampons disclosed demonstrate these
improved expansion characteristics particularly in the width dimension
without introducing new drawbacks. Preferred tampons are described which
are compressed to an initial size comparable to current tampons, but
which expand to a width exceeding that achieved by current tampons. Such
increased expansion is preferably accomplished without an increase in the
total absorbency of the tampon. Tampons of various absorbencies are
disclosed having increased total expansion in the width direction
compared to current tampons. Additionally, tampons of various
absorbencies which expand to a greater degree in the width direction
under pressure are also disclosed. Tampons of various absorbencies which
expand at a rate exceeding that achieved previously are also disclosed.
Microwave conditioning of tampon pledgets following compression is
disclosed as part of the tampon formation process.