Abstract: A toothbrush including a head having an elastomeric support member is described herein. The elastomeric support member supports a plurality of upstanding projections. At least a portion of the upstanding projections include non-elastomeric projections and elastomeric projections.

Abstract: A modeling method for a fibrous material to be made into a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes analyzing processes and conditions under which the fibrous material is made into the product, determining that moisture, temperature and rate conditions should be tested according to the analysis of the processes and conditions, and testing the fibrous material under at least one of moisture, thermal or rate conditions similar to those under which the fibrous material is made into the product to obtain test results. The modeling method further includes defining a constitutive model for the fibrous material according to the test results. A computing device may be programmed to perform simulations using the model.

Abstract: A process is provided for inspecting an absorbent article constructed from multiple components. A filtered image is produced from the absorbent article. In the image of the absorbent article, a nonlinear first edge and a second edge are identified at a location where there is a course change in contrast. A center point and centerline of the absorbent article is calculated using the position of the first edge and the second edge. A skew of the absorbent article is calculated. These known locations are utilized to define at least one additional region of the image for further analysis. A third edge and fourth edge are identified at a location where there is a fine change in contrast. The skew of the third edge and the fourth edge within the defined region is calculated and compared to known parameters for the absorbent article.

Abstract: A method is provided for measuring the insertion distance of an intravaginal article within a human vaginal cavity. The method uses a measuring device, which can be slidably attached to a withdrawal means of a vaginally inserted intravaginal article. The measuring device may be moved along the withdrawal means to a predetermined position, and then fixedly secured to the withdrawal means. The intravaginal article is then removed from the vaginal cavity and the insertion distance determined.

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: A carrier mold having prongs that produces shaped tampons is provided. When subjected to pressure the prongs of the carrier mold flex to completely or substantially close one end of the carrier mold. A method of forming a shaped tampon using the carrier mold is also provided.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a stabilized product from a pledget, including the steps of providing a pledget, a transfer member having an expandable portion, and a stabilization mold having an interior surface defining an interior cavity. The pledget is pushed into the mold by the transfer member so that the expandable portion is within the interior cavity of the mold. The pledget is compressed in the mold by the transfer member to form a compressed pledget. The expandable portion of the transfer member is expanded to form a seal with the interior surface of said mold. The compressed pledget is stabilized to form a stabilized product, while the compressed pledget is maintained in compression and the expandable portion of the transfer member remains expanded.

Abstract: A rotary method for forming a vaginal applicator. The method includes the steps of providing a forming mandrel, an applicator tube, and die then arranging the forming mandrel to be inside the applicator tube and then engaging the forming mandrel and the applicator tube with the die. The forming mandrel has a first sustaining ridge having a circumferential length and a second sustaining ridge having a circumferential length. The circumferential length of the first sustaining ridge is less than the circumferential length of the second sustaining ridge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a stabilized tampon from a tampon pledget. The method includes the steps of providing a tampon pledget; providing a compression mold having disposed therein a plurality of fluid communication passages; moving the tampon pledget into the compression mold, the compression mold being in an open position; applying a force delivery means through the fluid communication passages to deform the tampon pledget into a pre-folded shape; and compressing the pledget in the compression mold by closing the compression mold into a closed position to form a folded, compressed tampon.

Abstract: An improved design for tampons comprising a first material positioned within a flexible inner wrap; the inner wrap is encased by a flexible, fluid permeable outerwrap with a second material positioned between the inner and outer wrap. Either the first or second material may be absorbent or non-absorbent. The first and second materials can take many physical forms including particles, fibers, agglomerates, powders, gels, foams, beads and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A web-making fabric for producing a high caliper fibrous web and the fibrous web produced thereby. The web-making fabric comprises a reinforcing structure and a framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The framework defines a plurality of deflection conduits, at least one deflection conduit is a negatively radiused deflection conduit, and at least one deflection conduit is a positively radiused deflection conduit. The positively radiused deflection conduits are sized, shaped, and arranged to maximize fiber deflection along the periphery of the conduits. The web comprises three regions, a first region a second region and a third region. The first region is immediately adjacent to at least one of the second region and the third region. The second region comprises a plurality of negatively radiused domes. The third region comprises a plurality of positively radiused domes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a doctor blade comprising: a body having a thickness, a sharp leading side, a trailing side, and working end comprising a bevel surface, wherein the bevel surface is defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the Ra of the bevel surface is from about 1 ?-in to about 7 ?-in.

Abstract: A method for designing an absorbent article. The steps of the method are generating a physical spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a physical test environment, generating a virtual spatial map of saturation of a fluid within an absorbent in a virtual test environment, identifying absorbent-fluid interaction properties for the absorbent such that the virtual spatial map of saturation approximates the physical spatial map of saturation, inputting the absorbent-fluid interaction properties into a virtual model of the absorbent article to produce a representation of at least one feature of the absorbent article, evaluating the virtual model of the absorbent article to determine the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article, modifying the design of the absorbent article in response to the performance of the at least one feature of the absorbent article determined from the virtual model of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A tampon showing improved leakage protection through improved expansion characteristics is disclosed. The tampons disclosed demonstrate these improved expansion characteristics particularly in the width dimension without introducing new drawbacks. Preferred tampons are described which are compressed to an initial size comparable to current tampons, but which expand to a width exceeding that achieved by current tampons. Such increased expansion is preferably accomplished without an increase in the total absorbency of the tampon. Tampons of various absorbencies are disclosed having increased total expansion in the width direction compared to current tampons. Additionally, tampons of various absorbencies which expand to a greater degree in the width direction under pressure are also disclosed. Tampons of various absorbencies which expand at a rate exceeding that achieved previously are also disclosed.