Abstract: A low constant pressure injection molding machine forms molded parts by injecting molten thermoplastic material into a mold cavity at low constant pressures of 6,000 psi and lower. As a result, the low constant pressure injection molding machine includes a mold formed of easily machineable material that is less costly and faster to manufacture than typical injection molds.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of injection molding at low, substantially constant melt pressures. Embodiments of the disclosed method now make possible a method of injection molding that is more energy—and cost—effective than conventional high-velocity injection molding processes. Embodiments of the disclosed method surprisingly allow for the filling of a mold cavity at low melt pressure without undesirable premature hardening of the thermoplastic material in the mold cavity and without the need for maintaining a constant temperature or heated mold cavity. Heretofore, it would not have been expected that a constant pressure method could be performed at low pressure without such premature hardening of the thermoplastic material when using an unheated mold cavity or cooled mold cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of injection molding at low, substantially constant melt pressures. Embodiments of the disclosed method now make possible a method of injection molding that is more energy—and cost—effective than conventional high-velocity injection molding processes. Embodiments of the disclosed method surprisingly allow for the filling of a mold cavity at low melt pressure without undesirable premature hardening of the thermoplastic material in the mold cavity and without the need for maintaining a constant temperature or heated mold cavity. Heretofore, it would not have been expected that a constant pressure method could be performed at low pressure without such premature hardening of the thermoplastic material when using an unheated mold cavity or cooled mold cavity.

Abstract: A tampon applicator which has an elongate insertion member having a length extending from an insertion end to a gripper end opposite. The gripper end has a grip region dimensioned to substantially accept a user's grip. The grip region has a plurality of corrugations, a first transition portion, and a second transition portion. Each corrugation has a trough and a ridge. The first transition portion is substantially adjacent the gripper end and a second transition portion is disposed toward the insertion end.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a backsheet, a topsheet and an absorbent element. The topsheet, backsheet, and the absorbent element has an imparted color in which each of the imparted colors for the aforementioned elements are color matched. Color matching exists when the colors are contained within a specified CIELab color space volume, have a specified hue difference, or have a total color difference.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to consumer research methods for measuring emotive response to visual stimuli.

Abstract: A shopper communication regarding a product or service includes a scaled emotional state. The scaled emotional state is associated with use of the product or service. The scaled emotional state may be in the form of text, a graphical indicia, or a verbal description.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wrapper for individually packaging absorbent articles for personal hygiene, especially tampons. The wrapper of the present invention is provided with an opening means comprising a tear tape and a stopper, the tear tape is used for opening the wrapper and the stopper prevents the wrapper from becoming separated into more than two segments of wrapper material upon being opened.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method for producing a shaped tampon. The method includes the following steps: providing a mold having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first end, a second end, and an opening located in said second end; providing a tampon pledget; transferring said tampon pledget through said opening into said second end of said mold using a transfer member resulting in a tampon mold; self-sustaining said shaped tampon wherein said shaped tampon has an undercut; and removing said shaped tampon from said tampon mold.

Abstract: The present invention relates an arrangement and a process for making the arrangement that comprises a tampon, an applicator unit, and a uniformly shaped film cap. The tampon has a withdrawal end opposed to an insertion end, the insertion end having a top portion. The applicator unit contains at least a portion of a tampon and has a bottom side opposed to a topside. The film cap is uniformly shaped and covers at least a portion of the top portion of the tampon and attaches to at least a portion of the applicator unit. The arrangement is obtainable by a process comprising the steps of attaching the planar film to the applicator and shaping and or stretching the planar film to create a film cap.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wrapper for individually packaging absorbent articles for personal hygiene, especially tampons. The wrapper of the present invention is provided with an opening means, which prevents the wrapper from becoming separated into more than one piece of wrapper material upon being opened.

Abstract: Shaped tampons having varying perimeters are provided. Tampons disclosed comprise a mass of absorbent material formed into a self-sustaining shape comprising an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a center region. The center region has at least one perimeter which is less than a largest insertion end perimeter and is less than a withdrawal end perimeter. The shaped tampons may also have varying average fiber density regions. The shaped tampons may be wrapped in tightly conforming wrappers which optionally aid in maintaining the self-sustaining shape prior to use. Optionally, the shaped tampons may utilize tampon applicators which enable a user to visually see the shape of the tampon prior to use.

Abstract: Shaped tampons having varying volumes are provided. A tampon which is formed into a self-sustaining shape has an outer surface, which is substantially serpentine. The tampon also has continually changing volume. The shaped tampons may also have varying average fiber density regions. The shaped tampons may be wrapped in tightly conforming wrappers which optionally aid in maintaining the self-sustaining shape prior to use. Optionally, the shaped tampons may utilize tampon applicators which enable a user to visually see the shape of the tampon prior to use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible bag comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an opening defined by a periphery. The opening defines an opening plane, and bag is expandable in response to forces exerted by contents within the bag to provide an increase in volume of the bag such that said the accommodates the contents placed therein.

Abstract: A package for containing hygienic articles. The package has a dispensing aperture covered by a refastenably closable flap. The flap overlaps the dispensing aperture, to minimize external contamination. The aperture is made by a cut-out, leaving an opening in the material used to form the package. A separate retaining band is added to decrease the size of the opening so that the desired overlap can be maintained independent of the cut-out used to form the opening or the flap. The package is intact as presented to the user, and may completely enclose the hygienic articles after the first use of a hygienic article.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body portion, a pair of flaps joined to the main body portion, and an adhesive patch joined to each flap. Each adhesive patch comprises a first half and a second half releasably secured to the first half. The first half has adhesive zones and release zones, and the second half has adhesive zones and release zones which are removably securable to the release zones and adhesive zones of the first half.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved blades for severing sheet materials such as polymeric sheets, metallic foils, and other sheet materials, particularly those suitable for use in the containment and protection of various items including perishable materials. The present invention provides an improved blade for severing sheet materials wherein design parameters for the design of the blade teeth have been tailored for improved severing performance. The blade comprises a blade body and a plurality of individual teeth extending outwardly from the blade body. The teeth each have a finite tooth radius and at least one tooth parameter selected from the group of optimized tooth parameters consisting of a tooth radius less than about 0.005 inches, a tooth pitch of less than about 0.050 inches, and a tooth thickness of less than about 0.006 inches.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a main body portion, a pair of flaps joined to the main body portion, and an adhesive patch joined to each flap. Each adhesive patch comprises a first half and a second half releasably secured to the first half. The first half comprises an adhesive and the second half comprises an adhesive which is releasably securable to the adhesive of the first half.

Abstract: A fibrous pads package comprises a lightweight dispensing package having a dispensing opening and a plurality of discrete fibrous pads sequentially disposed in the dispensing package in an abutting relationship with each other. Each of the plurality of fibrous pads comprises a cleansing portion and a gripping portion of a predetermined size and shape. Each of the pads may have a transitional portion between the cleansing portion and the gripping portion. The cleansing portion has a cleansing portion thickness Tc and a cleansing portion flexural rigidity Rc; and the gripping portion has a gripping portion thickness Tg and a gripping portion flexural rigidity Rg. The cleansing portion thickness Tc is at least about 10% greater than the gripping portion thickness Tg, and the cleansing portion flexural rigidity Rc is at least about 100% less than the gripping portion flexural rigidity Rg. The gripping portion has a distinct gripping edge.

Abstract: A package for containing hygienic articles. The package has a dispensing aperture covered by a refastenably closable flap. The flap overlaps the dispensing aperture, to minimize external contamination. The aperture is made by a cut-out, leaving an opening in the material used to form the package. A separate retaining band is added to decrease the size of the opening so that the desired overlap can be maintained independent of the cut-out used to form the opening or the flap. The package is intact as presented to the user, and may completely enclose the hygienic articles after the first use of a hygienic article.