Abstract: An outer tampon tube is provided with a finger gripping section on one end formed by a series of spaced circumferentially disposed slits, each slit being equidistant from the tube ends and indentations extending radially from the slits formed by crease lines extending from the bottom of the tube to the slits.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for slitting of continuous webs into ribbons. The apparatus is composed of a series of cutters, preferably of the crush-cutter type that are slidably mounted on a support such as rail or series of rails. The cutters are each provided with a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket on each cutter is adapted to receive two individual adjustment devices. The adjustment devices are provided to individually and rigidly connect each adjacent cutter. In the preferred system, the individual adjustment devices are threaded studs with a center adjustment nut that is turned to bring the cutters closer or provide greater distance between them. Adjustment of any single stud leads to movement of the whole series of cutters as the individual devices between the other cutters will maintain their distance between adjacent cutters, and the cutters will slide upon the mounting rails.

Abstract: A method for applying self-adhering elastic strips to a flexible base material includes adhering a tensioned first strip of the self-adhering elastic material to a flexible base material by sandwiching a less-or untensioned strip of the self-adhering elastic material between the tensioned strip and the base material. Tensioning the first strip in order to impart a sufficiently high degree of elasticization to the base material reduces the inherent strength of adhesion of the strip to the base material. Accordingly, the less-or untensioned intermediate strip insures good adhesion strength of the composite of the two (or more) strips to the base material. The resulting article comprises one having elasticized portions formed by adherence of the tensioned composite strip of self-adhering elastic material thereto.

Abstract: The invention comprises of an anionic polyelectrolyte hydrogel reversibly cross-linked with a polyvalent metal cation having a valence of at least two. This hydrogel may be combined with a removal agent for imparting delayed swelling characteristics when contacted with a water-containing fluid. The delayed swelling allows the water-containing fluid to penetrate or permeate the system before swelling is initiated, thereby providing enhanced wetting prior to the onset of swelling and alleviating gel blockage.

Abstract: A flexible convolutely wound paper tampon tube is provided in which a thermoplastic coating on either the interior or the exterior portion of the tube is present in an amount to maintain the tube configuration.