#$%^&*AU2014200424A120140213.pdf#####Abstract An intravaginal tampon 38 is formed of compressed material and has an outer surface, an insertion end 42, a withdrawal end 44, and a center portion 46 formed between the insertion and withdrawal ends. The outer surface has at least two segmented grooves 40 are formed therein, 5 and each segmented groove 40 is separated from and spaced at a distance from an adjacent segmented groove 40. Each segmented groove 40 has at least one substantially longitudinal segment 50 and at least one accumulator segment 52. The arrangement of the segments provides a pooling region 54 to impede bodily fluid flow along the outer surface of the tampon. [Figure 3] D3/10 FIG. 3 x 42 40 50 60 . 52 52 38 )58 62 56 L_ 44 x
