Abstract: A method of manufacturing a tampon applicator having a corrugated region, the method including the steps of: a) providing a tampon applicator having a first end, a second end, a length and a diameter; and b) forming a plurality of corrugations in the tampon applicator, the corrugations defining the corrugated region, each of the corrugations having a ridge and a trough.

Abstract: An array of disposable absorbent articles. The array has a first absorbent article and a second absorbent article. The first absorbent article is enclosed in a first tampon applicator having i.) an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a first identifier having a first surface area. The first identifier is disposed on the first absorbent article and corresponds to a first absorbency. The first identifier is disposed on the first absorbent article. A second absorbent article is enclosed in a second tampon applicator having i.) an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and ii.) a second identifier having a second surface area. The second identifier is disposed on the second absorbent article and corresponds to a second absorbency. The first surface area is different than the second surface area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a cord to a piece of material. The material has a first side and a second side. The apparatus has a frame, a punch pin, a spear, and a comber. The comber is movably mounted to the frame. The comber is adapted to create slack in the cord. The punch pin is movably mounted to the frame. The punch pin is adapted to receive the cord and penetrate the material. The punch pin pulls the cord from the first side of the material through to the second side of the material. The punch pin is adapted to form an open loop on the second side of the material and the spear draws the cord through the open loop.

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: Digital tampons are disclosed which are capable of radially expanding into a non circular cross-sectional shape upon exposure to a wet environment, typically in use condition, so as to reduce bypass leakage. The inventions also relates to tampon blanks and a process of producing the tampons.

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: A tampon pledget having a top end, a bottom end, a first side end, a second side end, and a central portion between the first side end and the second side end. A first cord and a second cord are attached to the central portion. The first cord and the second cord lie in parallel planes.

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: Catamenial tampons having particularly desired expansion force characteristics are shown. The tampons comprise a mass of absorbent material which is fluid expanding. The tampons exert an X Dimension Force of at least about 400 grams, and a Z Dimension Force of less than about 200 grams. Alternatively, the ratio of the X Dimension Force to the Z Dimension Force is from about 10 to about 50.

Abstract: Absorbent interlabial devices are disclosed. Preferably, the absorbent interlabial device has a liquid pervious topseet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The device preferably also has a grasping tab joined to the backsheet. The tab preferably has at least a first zone and a second zone where the stiffness of the first zone is greater than the stiffness of the second zone. Preferably, the tab is made up of multiple layers. These layers are preferably laminated to each other in the first zone and are not laminated to each other in the second zone.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a package having a container with a layer. The layer has an interior surface and an exterior surface. The layer forms an interior space. The interior space has a plurality of absorbent articles forming a stack within the interior space of the container. Each of the absorbent articles has a thickness and is individually wrapped in a wrapper. The wrapper of each of the absorbent articles has a distinctive color. The exterior surface of the container has a graphic which has a distinctive color and a first window in the container. The first window reveals at least a portion of the thickness of at least one of the absorbent articles and at least a portion of the distinctive color of the wrapper.

Abstract: A process of forming a soft and resilient web (10) exhibiting a substantially continuous pattern of debossments or apertures is disclosed. The process comprises locally heating process to melt predetermined points of the web.

Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article is disclosed. The individually packaged absorbent article comprises an absorbent article and a wrapper. The absorbent article extends in a longitudinal direction and includes a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface. The absorbent article includes a pair of flaps joined to the main body portion and extending laterally outward beyond the longitudinal side edges of the main body portion. The garment surface of each of the flaps has a flap fastener. The flaps are folded over the body surface of the main body portion to expose the flap fasteners. The wrapper for the absorbent article has a main wrapper sheet The body surface of the main body portion is disposed to face the main wrapper sheet. The flap fastener of the flap is releasably affixed to the main wrapper sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making disposable absorbent articles comprising adhering two components materials to each other using an improved roll printing process to provide an adhesive to one of the two components, the adhesive has an application temperature which is greater than a print roll temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for making disposable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, catamenials, incontinence inserts perspiration pads, and diapers for adults or babies. In particular the present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of disposable absorbent articles comprising two component materials which are adhered to each other which utilizes an improved gravure roll printing process (30) to provide the adhesive, wherein the adhesive is applied to the gravure print roll (31) such that the gravures (32) are only partly filled.

Abstract: An individually packaged absorbent article is disclosed. The individually packaged absorbent article comprises an absorbent article and a wrapper. The absorbent article extends in a longitudinal direction and includes a main body portion having a pair of longitudinal side edges, a pair of end edges, a garment surface, and a body surface. The garment surface of the main body portion has a main fastener. The wrapper for the absorbent article has a main wrapper sheet and a main fastener cover. The body surface of the main body portion is disposed to face the main wrapper sheet. The main fastener of the main body portion is covered by the main fastener cover. The main fastener cover is joined to the main wrapper sheet. The main body portion and the wrapper are folded as a unit at least about one transverse axis such that the garment surface is oriented inwardly with respect to the folded unit. At least a part of the main fastener is exposed when the wrapper is opened.

Abstract: An individual package in combination with a hygienic device has a body comprising walls which surround and contain the device within the body; a rupturable seal line running along the axis of at least one side of the body, and an opening member situated on the seal line and extending outward from the body. The hygienic device is positioned within the package. The hygienic device is readily retrievable from the package such that a user neither touches nor contaminates the absorbent portion of the hygienic device with any part of her hand prior to the use and in using the hygienic device. Tampons, interlabial devices, swabs, and bandages are thereby afforded means for sterile usage and subsequent hygienic disposal.