Abstract: A cover is provided for a body fluid absorbing product which has a pattern of depressed and undepressed areas imposed on its exterior surface, which pattern presents a highly visible color contrast between the depressed and undepressed areas. The cover comprises a relatively light colored, relatively opaque outer cover having an interior layer of relatively dark color placed in face-to-face relationship with the interior surface of said outer cover and co-embossed.

Abstract: A composition for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms comprising peat moss having substantively bound thereto an antimicrobial heterocyclic compound.

Abstract: An absorbent body for absorbing body fluids is provided which is highly liquid retentive and comprises cellular polymeric absorbent material. The absorbent body of the invention comprises a cellular interpenetrating polymeric network comprising a crosslinked polyelectrolyte.

Abstract: A tampon pack, in particular for female hygiene, as indicated, which consists of a tampon applicator (1) having an applicator shell (2) and a plunger (3) telescopically mounted therein to be axially movable, and of a tampon (4) which is located in the applicator shell (2), has a withdrawal cord (5) and can be pushed out of the applicator shell (2) by means of the plunger (3), a flexible packaging film (6) being provided in the region of the introduction end (7) of the tampon (4) and being held on the applicator shell (2). The special point of the tampon pack is that the packaging film (6) surrounds substantially the entire surface of the tampon (4), is made to be substantially impermeable to water vapor and is provided, on the inside facing the tampon (4), with a coating having a high coefficient of sliding friction.

Abstract: This invention provides a sanitary napkin of the type emplacement in the inner crotch portion of an undergarment. The napkin comprises a central absorbent element having flaps extending from each of its longitudinal edges. The flaps extend to a sufficient length to allow the flaps to overlie the outer crotch portion of an undergarment with the flaps being sufficiently drapable so as to allow each to fold about the crotch portion at any of an infinite number of lines lying essentially parallel to the junction line between the absorbent element and each flap. Accordingly, when the sanitary napkin is applied to crotch portions of varying width, the napkin will conform to the dimensions of the crotch and be emplaced without wrinkling.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided which is capable of being used as is or can be elongated by simple action by the user. The napkin comprises short tabs having pleats therein which can be unfolded to render the napkin longer.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are indicated for the production of a cylindrical packing tube which is open at one end and closed at the other, is made from deformable tear-resistant packing material and is intended, in particular, for tampons used in female hygiene, wherein a portion of the packing material is drawn by suction onto a winding spindle provided with suction apertures and through the rotation of the winding spindle is wrapped around the latter, while the overlapping ends of the portion are joined together to form the packing tube, whose end projecting beyond the winding spindle is closed, whereupon the packing tube is removed from the winding spindle. The method is characterized in that that end of the cylindrical packing tube which projects beyond the winding spindle is held fast and during the rotation of the winding spindle is closed so as to form a twist. The method permits the production of a uniform closure pattern of the packing tube irrespective of the shape of the tampon insertion end.

Abstract: An absorbent, flexible, resilient, cellular polymer is provided which comprises the reaction product of at least one epoxy resin and amine terminated poly(alkylene oxide).

Abstract: An absorbent material comprising hydrocolloidal fibers provided in board form having substantial structural integrity both in the dry state and after being wetted with body fluids. The board comprising hydrocolloidal fibers is subjected to a heat treatment step whereby the board is heated, in a dry state to impart such stability.

Abstract: An absorbent material is provided for body fluid absorbent products which material has relatively high tensile strength, and is extremely flexible and may be incorporated into absorbent products without substantial loss in user's comfort. The material is made by forming a slurry of water wherein the solids comprise cellulosic fibers and hydrocolloidal material. The wet web is formed from the slurry and the web is then dried. The dry web is then compacted to a density of at least 110% and preferably at least 150% based on the density of the dry web. The resulting product has a tensile strength of at least 10 Kg/cm.sup.2 and the Gurley Stiffness of less than about 40 gm.

Abstract: A thin absorbent undergarment liner is provided which exhibits a clear, aesthetically pleasing embossed pattern on the body facing surface thereof while still maintaining the longitudinal edges soft and comfortable. The liner is provided to have areas of deep depressions on the body facing surface and shallow impressions on the longitudinal edges.

Abstract: A system is provided for removing ethylene oxide from a gaseous stream without the need for large quantities of a liquid heat sink. A vessel is provided containing an aqueous acid solution and having a gas diffusion means submerged in the solution. The gaseous stream from which the ethylene oxide is to be removed is continuously diffused through the gas diffusion means and bubbles out of the acid solution while the inert essentially ethylene oxide free gas is continuously removed from above the solution.

Abstract: An absorbent cellular polymeric material is provided which exhibits enhanced water retentivity and may also exhibit enhanced compressibility. Such a material is provided by foaming the reaction product of a poly(aminoether) and an epoxy resin and quaternizing the resulting reaction product with, for example, an acid. The foam is particularly usable in products for absorbing body fluids.

Abstract: A body fluid absorbent board and a method for making the same is provided with the board comprising peat moss having a particle size remaining on a 100 mesh screen and mechanical wood pulp fines having a Canadian Standard Freeness of from 60 to 500. The board has a dry density of from 0.03 to about 0.09 gm/cc and has surprising absorbent and structural integrity.

Abstract: An improved sensing electrode assembly for testing for a constituent in blood is provided. An electrode assembly exhibits a decreased time to reach stable operation by virtue of having the assembly pretreated by applying thereto a liquid containing blood derived albumin.

Abstract: An apparatus for compressing a blank into a compressed tampon is provided. In the direction of its central axis, the apparatus comprises in succession a push rod, a transmitting device, a tampon press and an ejector mandrel. The carrier jaws of the transmitting device are concentrically movable with respect to the axis and have a closed passage channel whose cross-section is suitable for the blank or the pressed tampon. The cross-section of the push rod is notably smaller than the passage opening provided in the open portion of the carrier jaws for the tampon blank. The carrier jaws have in the direction of the axis, a width corresponding to at least the length of the blank. The tampon press has pressing jaws which are radially movable with respect to the axis between a receiving position of the tampon blank and a pressed position. The ejector mandrel serves to eject the tampon out of the tampon press back into the transmitting device and against the push rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for attaching a withdrawal tape to a catamenial tampon. The apparatus is designed so that the withdrawal cord is frictionally wound up upon a centering mandrel in a controlled manner and then pressed against the withdrawal end of a tampon to provide a spiral of withdrawal cord in the same uniform shape and quality while manufacturing such tampons at high speed. The withdrawal cord is picked up by a driver and wound up in an annular chamber between a centering mandrel and the driver. The driver comprises two cylindrical driver shelves arranged concentrically to one another at a radial distance and each having a driver tooth. The cooperation between the driver teeth and the two driver shelves makes it possible to perfectly guide the withdrawal cord during the course of winding the same.

Abstract: A container having a fillable opening is provided with a sifter closure comprising an outer cap and a sifter disk. The sifter disk is fitted into a cap and is self-registering therewith. The cap and sifter disk may then be placed onto the container and the sifter disk immovably affixed to the container to assemble the container enclosure.