Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article for preventing leakage, the article including an absorbent assembly having an absorbent assembly perimeter and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent a portion of the perimeter, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to provide a physical sensation indicating a fullness level of the absorbent assembly. Also disclosed is an absorbent article for providing a wearer with a warning of potential leakage, the article including an absorbent assembly and a leakage warning element disposed adjacent the absorbent assembly, wherein the leakage warning element is adapted to impart a physical sensation to the wearer.

Abstract: An aid is usable with a wearer's garment, the aid including a structural layer having a skin-facing side, wherein the structural layer is adapted to be positioned within the garment such that the skin-facing side is in at least partial skin contact with the wearer; and a thermal grill disposed on the structural layer. Also, an absorbent article delivers discomfort without causing physiological damage, the article including a bodyside liner; a plurality of warm portions disposed on the bodyside liner; and a plurality of cool portions disposed on the bodyside liner, wherein the warm portions and cool portions are disposed in an alternating pattern.

Abstract: Garments may include signaling devices. The signaling device may be configured to indicate to a user that a body fluid is present in the garment. The garment may include a chassis including an outer cover having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The chassis may include a crotch region positioned in between a front region and a back region. The garment may also include a signaling device including at least one first terminal and at least one second terminal.

Abstract: A dual mode absorbent tampon comprising a mass of absorbent material compressed into a generally cylindrical shape, in a first mode of the tampon. The mass of absorbent material comprising a homogeneous mixture of a plurality of fibers which comprise at least a first type of fiber and a second type of fiber, where the first type of fiber is bondable to fibers of the plurality of fibers. At least a portion of the first type of fibers are bonded in a pre-determined pattern to adjacent fibers of the plurality of fibers wherein absorption by the tampon causes at least a portion of the mass of absorbent material to expand into a non-cylindrical shape which is dependent upon the pre-determined pattern, in a second mode of the tampon.

Abstract: A disposable personal care article comprises a shell having a unitary structure for disposition adjacent a wearer's vulva region, where the shell has a first side and a second side, the first side having a first area and a second area. The first area of the shell contacts to the wearer's skin and/or hair surrounding the vulva region. At least a portion of the first area comprises a body attachment means for adhering the shell directly to the skin and/or hair of the wearer. In addition, the shell has an anterior half and a posterior half where the posterior half exhibits a higher extension relative to the anterior half when a stretching force of 454 grams is applied. In some aspects, the article further includes an absorbent structure.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes front and back side panels, wherein each side panel has an attachment edge and a free edge, the front and back side panels being one of permanently attached and releasably fastenable to define a wear configuration of the absorbent article. The article also includes a finger tab system including a finger tab having first and second ends and a distal point, the first end of the finger tab being attached to the free edge of one of the front and back side panels, and a tab line where the finger tab intersects the free edge of the one of the front and back side panels, wherein the finger tab system includes an aperture disposed between the distal point of the finger tab and the tab line.

Abstract: Disclosed is an insult-sensing absorbent article including an absorbent assembly, an insult-sensing means coupled to the absorbent assembly, and a tuned antenna system coupled to the insult-sensing means. Also disclosed is a method for indicating an insult to an absorbent article to be worn by a wearer, the method including providing an absorbent article including a conductive element; providing an antenna system associated with the absorbent article, the antenna system including a signal generator and an antenna, wherein the antenna includes the conductive element, and wherein the antenna system is adapted to transmit a signal; and maximizing the receivability of the signal by optimizing an aspect of the antenna system.

Abstract: A visually coordinated absorbent product includes a article component having a body side liner, a garment side outer cover and an absorbent core disposed between the body side liner and the garment side outer cover. The article component has at least a first and second visual characteristic, wherein the first visual characteristic is different than the second visual characteristic. The article component is disposed in a packaging component having at least the first and second visual characteristics. In one embodiment, the packaging component is an individual pouch sized and configured to hold a single, individual article component. In various embodiments, the visual characteristics can include color, embossment, printing, and/or side sealing.

Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). At least a portion of the first end-section has been folded along or otherwise includes a first end-fold-region (64) which is substantially convex along a backsheet-side of the article. At least a portion of the second end-section has been folded along or otherwise includes a second end-fold-region (66) which is substantially convex along the backsheet-side of the article. In other aspects, the article can include a first, lengthwise-fold-region (58) in the first end-section, a second, lengthwise-fold-region (62) in the second end-section, and a third, lengthwise-fold-region (68) in the intermediate section.

Abstract: A packaging system for personal care products is provided including a package including an external surface and a package circumference, and a concealment element circumscribing the package at the package circumference and being positionable between a first position in which the packaging system exhibits product-identifying graphics and a second position in which the packaging system is substantially bereft of product-identifying graphics.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided for personal wear about a wearer's waist. The article includes a pair of front side panels attached to the front waist region and a pair of back side panels attached to the back waist region, and is configurable from a wear configuration to a disposal configuration in which the article is generally compacted for disposal. The article also includes a disposal tab having an attachment region with an attachment width and a tab region with a gripping width, the attachment region attached to one of the front or back side panels, the tab region being attachable to the article in at least the disposal configuration of the article, wherein the attachment width is substantially equal to the gripping width.

Abstract: A signaling device is provided for sensing and indicating the presence of a body exudate in an absorbent article, the device including a housing and a detection circuit disposed within the housing, the detection circuit including an induction coil and a marginal oscillator. A body exudate collection and detection system is also provided including an absorbent article and a signaling device adapted to be used in conjunction with the absorbent article, the signaling device including a housing and a detection circuit disposed within the housing, the detection circuit including an induction coil and a marginal oscillator. The signaling device can also include an attachment mechanism for removably attaching the housing to the absorbent article. The detection circuit can also include an electrical common and a conductor in electrical communication with the electrical common and with the body exudate.

Abstract: A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76) which is contiguous with and interposed between the first end-section (72) and the second end-section (72a). The article includes a liquid permeable topsheet layer (26), and a backsheet layer (28) which is operatively connected to the topsheet layer (26). At least a portion of the first end-section (72) has been folded along or otherwise includes a first end-fold-region (58) which is substantially convex along a topsheet-side of the article (20). Additionally, the first end-fold-region (58) is substantially concave along a backsheet-side of the article. At least a portion of the second end-section (72a) has been folded along or otherwise includes a second end-fold-region (62) which is substantially convex along the topsheet-side of the article (20).

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tampon applicator having a grip area which provides the user better gripping ability. The grip area may be an area between two ridges on the outer tube of the applicator. In the alternative or in addition to the ridges, the grip area may be a raised pattern which is raised by a distance of between about 0.10 mm and about 0.75 mm. The present invention also provides an improved petal design for a tampon applicator. In this embodiment of the present invention, the petals are separated from each other on all sides by a non-linear gap and the gap is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tampon applicator.

Abstract: A cellulose-based granule that functions as a carrier vehicle for an odor control agent is described. The granule has a relatively porous substrate body having a high-surface area of at least about 200 m2/gram, and metal-modified silica particles either adhered to or encapsulated within the cellulose-based substrate. Each of the metal-modified particles has adsorbed metallic ions that are adapted to bind a molecule of a gaseous compound, an odorous compound, or combinations thereof. The odor control granule is free-flowing (i.e., do not exhibit a tendency to agglomerate to each other) and exhibit powder-like characteristics, wherein the granules have an average powder density of 30 to 600 g/l according to DIN 53,468.

Abstract: Disclosed is an absorbent article including a temperature change member. The temperature change member includes a matrix of fibers and temperature change material intermixed within the matrix of fibers.

Abstract: A package enclosing a single disposable absorbent article. The package having an opening element.

Abstract: Wetness indicators may include alarm devices that are designed to assist parents or attendants in identifying a wet diaper condition early on. These devices produce either a visual or an audible signal. Many of these devices rely on electronics, which may increase the expense of the absorbent article. Further, electronic devices rely on electrical sources and may be prone to failure if not utilized for an extended period of time.

Abstract: Provided is a temperature change composition including a neurosensory component; and a first phase change component having a first phase change temperature between about 15 degrees C. and about 40 degrees C. Also provided is a temperature change composition including an evaporative cooling component; and a first phase change component having a first phase change temperature. Also provided is a temperature change composition for cooling skin, the composition including a first phase change component having a first phase change temperature; and a second phase change component having a second phase change temperature different from the first phase change temperature.