Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: Provided are absorbent articles for retaining a malodorous bodily fluid. The absorbent articles comprise an additive that is a quaternary ammonium salt that is water soluble at 37° C., comprises an alkyl C16-C21 chain, and contains at least two oxygen atoms in the anionic portion of the salt. Also provided are methods of preparing absorbent articles, including disposable absorbent articles, containing the above additive.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: Protective underwear including a chassis and an insert. The chassis includes a front waist portion having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, a back waist portion having a first lateral end and a second lateral end, and a crotch portion that longitudinally connects the front waist portion to the back waist portion. The first lateral end of the front waist portion is connected to the first lateral end of the back waist portion and the second lateral end of the front waist portion is connected to the second lateral end of the back waist portion. The insert is attached to the chassis and covers at least the crotch portion of the chassis. The insert has an overall thickness of less than about 4 mm, an absorbent capacity of at least 7.5 g/in2 and an acquisition speed of less than about 20 seconds on first and second insults and less than about 30 seconds on a third insult.

Abstract: Provided are absorbent articles for retaining a malodorous bodily fluid. The absorbent articles comprise an additive that is a quaternary ammonium salt that is water soluble at 37° C., comprises an alkyl C16-C21 chain, and contains at least two oxygen atoms in the anionic portion of the salt. Also provided are methods of preparing absorbent articles, including disposable absorbent articles, containing the above additive.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a topsheet, an absorbent core and an acquisition/distribution transfer system disposed intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The system includes at least one apertured material which is three dimensional and defines pores extending appreciably beyond the primary plane of the material in a direction from the absorbent core toward the topsheet. Preferably the pores taper inwardly from the core toward the topsheet.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a topsheet, an absorbent core, and a layered acquisition/distribution transfer system disposed intermediate the topsheet and the absorbent core. The system has at least a pair of apertured films including a first film facing the topsheet and a second film facing the absorbent core. Each film is three-dimensional, formed of a wettable and substantially non-absorbent thermoplastic polymer, and defines pores which taper inwardly in a first direction from the topsheet to the absorbent core. The first film has a larger average pore size than the second film.

Abstract: The present invention is an additive preparation which contains an additive, an organic acid, a metal carbonate compound, and a surfactant agent which is capable of rendering the surface of a collection device to have properties that cause the surface to repel the adsorption of components of a body fluid sample. The preparation effervesces when in contact with a body fluid sample, thereby efficiently dispersing the additive and surfactant in a body fluid sample.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A device and method is provided for separating heavier and lighter fractions of a fluid sample. The device includes a plurality of constituents comprising a container and a composite element in the container. The composite element is a separator comprising at least two components and more particularly an elastic portion and a plug member. A fluid sample is delivered to the container and the device is subjected to centrifugation whereby the centrifugal load causes the elastic portion of the separator to deform so that the separator migrates into the fluid sample and stabilizes between the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample. The elastic portion of the separator will resiliently return to its initial configuration upon termination of the centrifugal load such that the elastic portion sealingly engages the container and separates the heavier and lighter fractions of the fluid sample.

Abstract: A multilayered absorbent structure is disclosed. The absorbent structure has a plurality of absorbent planar regions defined by decreasing pore size with increasing depth into the region. Generally, each planar region has an absorbent layer having relatively large average pore sizes at the top, body facing surface, and relatively small average pore sizes at the bottom, garment facing surface. A subsequent absorbent region has a top body facing surface with an average pore size which is larger than the bottom, garment facing surface of the previous absorbent region. The top surface of each subsequent planar region is in fluid communication with the lower surface of the planar region above.