Abstract: An improved outlet tube device for a urinary drainage bag is disclosed wherein an outlet valve mechanism is contained with a rigid housing fixed securely to the drainage bag, rather than just being clamped to the outlet tubing, and thus cannot become separated from the bag. The outlet valve can be opened only by positive action on the part of the medical care personnel, thereby assuring that urine will be discharged only in a controlled manner. Further, because the valve mechanism does not require that a substantial length of tubing with a freely movable end be used in conjunction with the outlet port, there is no need to engage the free end of the tubing with a keeper. Thus the possibility of the tubing springing back to its straight configuration and flicking residual urine on the attending medical personnel is eliminated. In one embodiment the outlet tube device comprises a pinchcock-type valve which is fixedly mounted to the bag and which is normally operative to clamp off the outlet tube.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene pad having a wide absorbent front portion and a narrower, elongated rear portion of sufficient length to be retained between the buttocks of a user to better fit against the user's body and thereby control rearward leakage of fluid. The hygienic pad is smaller and better fitting and can be worn more discreetly with small sized and tight fitting garments.

Abstract: A sanitary absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin, pantiliner or incontinence pad having a cover layer featuring an intermediate zone and two terminal zones. The intermediate zone has two marginal portions adjacent the longitudinal sides of the sanitary napkin. At least the marginal portions and preferably the entire intermediate zone are formed of material that has a higher degree of vertical liquid migration than lateral liquid migration. The terminal zones are made of material that has a higher degree of lateral liquid migration than vertical liquid migration.

Abstract: A device for managing urinary incontinence comprises a resilient body that engages the external genitalia and sealingly occludes the urethral meatus. In female embodiments, the body fits between the labia minora and the floor of the vulval vestibule, occluding the meatus. An adhesive on the body provides a sealing engagement with the meatus. In a first female embodiment, the body has a base with an adhesive layer that seats against the vestibule floor. A pair of flexible, lateral flaps engage the labia minora. A layer of super-absorbent material may be situated between the base and the adhesive layer, and/or a layer of scrim material may be so situated. The body may have a longitudinal ridge with a posterior edge having a finger hole to facilitate installation and removal of the device. In a second female embodiment, the body is substantially tubular, with the adhesive on the exterior surface of the body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining a fastening tab (20) of a hook and loop fastener system in a storage position on an article, such as a disposable diaper (10). The fastening tab (20) has a first end portion (122) for permanent attachment to the article and a distal end portion (126) provided with projecting hook members (30). The distal end portion (126), in a ready position of the fastening tab, stands free from the article. The distal end portion, in the storage position, contacts a surface of the article. The method includes the steps of attaching the first end portion (122) of the fastening tab (20) to the article, and folding the distal end portion (126) of the fastening tab over the first end portion (122) of the tab such that the hook members (30) contact the surface of the article.

Abstract: A disposable diaper includes tape fasteners each having an elastically stretchable/contractile basic tape member and a hook member attached onto an inner surface of the basic tape member. The hook member has inner and outer side edges. and the inner side edge extends towards a proximal end portion of the basic tape member in its transversely middle zone.

Abstract: A personal care article for preventing exudates from contacting the body of a user comprises a substrate including an extensible bodyside liner layer, and an aperture support structure limiting extensibility of the bodyside liner layer along the length of the aperture support structure. One support band of an aperture support structure runs through the gluteal fold between the buttocks of a user. The aperture support structure positions an aperture in the bodyside liner layer in the gluteal fold of a user, in alignment with the anus, so that fecal material enters a containment receptacle upon leaving the anus. In another embodiment, the personal care article can include a comfort stretch layer comprising an elastomeric, hot melt, pressure-sensitive adhesive located between a bodyside liner layer and an outer layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to manipulating pliers especially but not exclusively for surgical purposes, comprising a frame, at a first side of the frame a control handle and at a second side opposite the first side of the frame a gripper as well as a coupling between the control handle and the gripper. The control handle and the gripper are each coupled to the frame by means of a roller bearing.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin and particularly an intimate woman's sanitary napkin is disclosed. The sanitary napkin is provided with a conveying element, capable of conveying the flow of vaginal exudates to a central area of the sanitary napkin, thus minimizing the possibilities of side leakage. The conveying element is vertically aligned and disposed along the longitudinal axis of the sanitary napkin above the absorbent element, and being substantially laminar and orthogonal to the surface of the sanitary napkin.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a diaper, a sanitary napkin, a panty liner, an adult incontinence device, a bandage, or the like is provided which has: (a) a liquid pervious topsheet defining a body-facing side of the absorbent article; (b) a liquid impervious backsheet joined to the topsheet and defining a garment-facing side of the absorbent article; (c) an absorbent layer being positioned between the topsheet and the backsheet; and (d) an adhesive system located on the backsheet. The adhesive system comprises a plurality of three-dimensional protrusions which are deformable into a substantially two-dimensional configuration and an interconnected network of adhesive surrounding the protrusions which is protected from inadvertent contact with external surfaces until the three-dimensional protrusions are deformed into a substantially two-dimensional configuration.

Abstract: A male incontinent garment that includes a waistband, a crotch band, and a pouch. The crotch band has an anterior portion with an posterior surface. The pouch is a sheet of material that is folded unto itself to form a tube. The tube has an interior surface, an exterior surface with an anterior portion, and is vertically-oriented and open ended for receiving and holding the penis in an up position and a down position depending upon user preference. The interior surface of the tube is lined with an absorbent material, while the anterior portion of the exterior surface of the tube has hooks of hook and loop fasteners thereon that cooperate with the posterior surface of the anterior portion of the crotch band which is not only of a material that is absorbent but is also of one that is cooperative with hooks of hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: An absorbent article is disclosed for absorbing body fluids discharged from a human body. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having first and second longitudinally-extending sides, first and second distally spaced ends and a garment-facing surface. The absorbent article includes a structure which interacts with an adjacent undergarment for retaining the absorbent in the crotch region of a human body. The structure includes at least two grooves or channels formed in the garment-facing surface of the absorbent which are sized and configured to receive the side edges of an undergarment. When the undergarment is pulled up around the torso of the user, the side edges of the undergarment will nest in the grooves or channels and hold the absorbent article securely in place, thereby decreasing the likelihood of leakage.

Abstract: Absorbent article comprising an absorbent core with a crotch region and at least one waist region, whereby said crotch region has a lower ultimate fluid storage capability than at least one waist region. The article further has an improved fluid handling performance such as an acquisition rate of at least 0.6 ml in the fourth gush.

Abstract: Here is disclosed a disposable diaper improved to be easily put on the wearer. Top- and backsheets in front and rear waist regions of the diaper includes the top- and backsheets that have an elastic stretchability transversely of the diaper, and transversely opposite side edges of the diaper includes top- and backsheets intended to surround the wearer's legs having elastic stretchability longitudinally and transversely of the diaper.

Abstract: A waist belt for supporting disposable-type absorbent articles (7), such as incontinence guards or diapers which comprise a front part, a rear part and an intermediate crotch part, wherein the belt can be fastened to the rear part of the article and when fastened to the rear part of the article comprises two front portions (3, 4) which project out laterally from mutually opposing side edges of the rear part of the article and which can be fastened together through the medium of mechanical fastener elements (12, 14) to form a waist band and which taper towards their respective ends over at least a substantial part of their lengths. Each of the front portions includes first fastener elements (12, 13) which are disposed on the outside of the belt, i.e. that side which faces outwardly in relation to the wearer's body in use, and which extend at least over essentially the whole of the tapering portions of the front portions (10, 11) along the longitudinal symmetry lines thereof.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a support member comprising a top sheet, a backsheet, or an absorbent core, and a translational operative member for enhancing the capacity for containing bodily waste. The translational operative member is capable of being moved from one region of the article to another or within a region via a translating device. The translating device comprises a moisture sensitive element capable of expanding or contracting when wetted.

Abstract: The invention provides a deodorizing implement for an ostomy pouch which is usable for pouches for a general use, cheap to produce and surely functions, and assists odors of fecal matters and flatus or gases, which ostomates worry, to be always deodorized and discharged to the outside from the pouch. The deodorizing implemengt for an ostomy pouch is attached on the inner wall of the ostomy pouch, and comprises a support, which is disc-like, triangular, rectangular or polygonal board-shaped and adhered as covering the periphery of a hole pierced with a needle on the pouch wall surface, and an air-permeable bag member to be adhered to the support and accomodating a deodorizing agent.

Abstract: A thermoplastic porous water-permeable layer material has at least one odor-reducing surface which is wettable to aqueous liquids and capable of controlling a wide variety of malodors. The thermoplastic water-permeable layer material is treated with a surfactant-modified cyclodextrin prepared by mixing or chemically reacting a cyclodextrin-based odor absorbing material with a surfactant-producing compound. The layer material thus treated can be used in a wide variety of personal care and medical absorbent products, as well as other applications.

Abstract: An absorbent article having relatively light weight and less bulk includes a liquid permeable top layer, an inner surge layer, and a substantially liquid-impermeable outer cover. A plurality of pockets are formed in at least one of the surge layer and the outer cover material. The pockets contain a superabsorbent material. The surge layer or outer cover material containing the pockets functions as an absorbent layer, thereby eliminating the need for a separate (often bulky) absorbent layer between the surge layer and the outer cover.

Abstract: A carrier is described for supporting a urine drainage bag, enabling the user to carry the drainage bag from place to place and support the bag on a horizontal surface. The carrier is in the form of a molded, one-piece open frame with top, side and bottom walls. The bag is supported on a hook that extends downwardly from the frame top wall. A urine collection receptacle is positioned in the bottom of the frame, with the frame being sized so that the lower end of the bag extends into the receptacle, but above the frame bottom wall when the bag is supported on the hook.