Abstract: An insoluble etherified cellulose graft copolymer is provided comprising etherified cellulose which is soluble in water in the absence of grafting and is chosen from the group consisting of the alkali metal salts of carboxyalkyl cellulose, sulfoalkyl cellulose and phosphonoalkyl cellulose. The etherified cellulose has grafted onto its cellulose backbone side chains of polymer moieties in sufficient quantities to render the grafted etherified cellulose insoluble. The products of this invention are used alone or mixed with other absorbent materials such as unmodified cellulose, in the manufacture of absorbent napkins, tampons, sponges and the like.

Abstract: An improvement is provided in a absorbent product for absorbing and retaining body fluids of the kind having a body facing side and a garment facing side and comprising an elongated, planar absorbent pad. The pad is enveloped in a generally rectangular menstrual fluid pervious wrapper with the longitudinal edges of the wrapper overlapping on the garment facing side of the product. A generally rectangular menstrual fluid impervious barrier sheet is sandwiched between the wrapper and the pad. The barrier sheet overlies the garment facing side of the pad and at least the longitudinal side edges of the pad. At least two menstrual fluid barrier seal lines are provided extending longitudinally with the product and sealing the longitudinal edge portions of the barrier sheet to the cover. The seals will prevent menstrual fluid from transferring, either by wicking or by seeping, across the seal line, thereby insuring that the garment facing side of the napkin is free of menstrual fluid.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin is provided having a pressure-sensitive adhesive element on the surface thereof for adhering to the crotch portion of the undergarment. The adhesive element is further provided with a protective releasable layer having adhered thereto microcapsules containing a deodorant material. Upon peeling the protective releasable layer from the adhesive element, the deodorant material is released in a controlled manner.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon is provided for precluding the bypass of menstrual fluid in use while simultaneously being easy to remove after use. The tampon comprises a generally cylindrical absorbent body having a ring slidably engaged around the body, the ring also being attached to the insertion end of the absorbent body. The ring comprises material which will expand when in place within the vagina to preclude menstrual fluid bypass. A withdrawal string is attached to the cylindrical body whereby, when the tampon is being removed by force exerted on the cylindrical body by means of the withdrawal string, the cylindrical body is disengaged from the ring and removed from the tampon followed by the attached ring.

Abstract: A wrapped cylindrical body such as a catamenial tampon is provided with a wrapper which will maintain the body clean and dust and moisture proof and can easily be opened. Specifically, the cylindrical body is wrapped in a wrapper having perforations arranged in a pattern whereby almost the entire wrapper can be removed in one motion without the need for pulling substantial quantities of wrapping from the ends of the cylindrical body. Further, the wrapper provides no open path for dust and other contaminants to reach the wrapped product. These advantages are achieved by providing two perforated zones in the wrapping material, double wrapping the cylindrical body and having the perforations of each of the zones offset so as to close any path into the product. The zones are located so as to overlie each other when the product is wrapped and are adhered together whereby essentially the entire product may be unwrapped in a single unwrapping operation.

Abstract: A process for bleaching peat moss at acid pHs to produce a peat moss product of enhanced color and which substantially maintains its original structure.

Abstract: A tampon-applicator assembly of reduced length is provided comprising a generally cylindrical absorbent tampon having a proximal end and a distal end and a tampon bore within the tampon extending from said distal end toward the proximal end. A retainer is affixed to the distal end and has a bore therethrough coaxial with the tampon bore. A plunger is provided and adapted to be stored within the bore prior to use and to be reciprocated out of the tampon bore when the tampon is to be inserted. Screw threads or longitudinal splines are provided for the plunger to bear against the retainer. The retainer bears against the tampon when insertion pressure is applied. After insertion, the plunger and the retainer are removable.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for transferring a cylindrical work piece from a first work station to a second work station is provided. The apparatus comprises a transfer element extending substantially in one main plane, and moveable in said plane. The transfer element is provided with a plurality of openings therethrough in which bushes for receiving and transferring work pieces are mounted to be moveable with the transfer element. A device moves each bush into approximate axial alignment with the first work station for receiving a work piece and then in approximate axial alignment with the second work station for discharging a work piece. The bushes are floatingly mounted within the openings to compensate for errors in axial alignment.

Abstract: A selected powdery form of a graft copolymer containing hydrophilic chains provides a highly moisture-absorbent media which is suitable for use in absorbent bodies, particularly those used for absorbing body exudates such as catamenial devices, diapers, wound dressings, surgical sponges, incontinence pads and the like. The powdered form of said copolymers is useful alone or in combination with other absorbent materials in making up the absorbent bodies.

Abstract: A thermoplastic, water-dispersible, biodegradable composition of matter which is resistant to fungal attack prior to dispersal, and containers and the like made therefrom. The composition comprises hydroxyalkyl cellulose, starch, and a member selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid and its alkali metal salts as the anti-fungal agent. Only a member of this group is found to be an effective anti-fungal agent in the composition of the invention.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a dimensionally stable compressed article such as an absorbent catamenial tampon comprising compressed cellulosic fibers. The method comprises the steps of first radially compressing a cylindrical blank to form a radially compressed blank having a length in excess of the desired finished length; then axially compressing the blank in a heated chamber to a length less than the desired finished length; then allowing the blank to expand to the desired finished length; and then maintaining the blank at this length while still in the heated chamber until the blank obtains the desired stability.

Abstract: A digital tampon is provided which is sufficiently rigid to allow for digital insertion but which subsequently, during use, loses its rigidity to provide comfort when worn and when removed. The tampon comprises a rigidifying element extending longitudinally and disposed centrally with respect to the axis of the tampon. The element is chosen to have a dry resistance to compression sufficiently high enough to allow insertion and a wet resistance to compression, less than the dry resistance, and sufficiently low enough to allow the tampon to expand when wet and be comfortable in use and during removal.

Abstract: Microbial growth is inhibited in a medium susceptible to such growth by treatment with an effective amount of an insoluble dialdehyde polysaccharide which is sufficient to maintain an insoluble aldehyde content in the medium of at least about 0.1 weight percent. The insoluble dialdehyde polysaccharide does not exert a systematic effect on the medium. Suitable dialdehyde polysaccharides for this purpose are insoluble dialdehyde starch, dialdehyde cellulose, and the like.

Abstract: A protective absorbent liner for nether garments is provided comprising an elongated absorbent body having the body contacting major surface and a garment contacting major surface. Pressure sensitive adhesive element means are disposed longitudinally and centrally upon the garment contacting surface and extend from end to end thereof. The removable release strip overlies the entire length of the pressure sensitive adhesive element. At least one extreme end portion of the pressure sensitive adhesive element is provided with a pattern of raised and depressed areas whereby the resistance to peeling of both the release strip prior to use and the nether garment after use is lower in the end portion than in the central portion of the adhesive element.

Abstract: An absorbent nether garment liner is provided which comprises an absorbent layer having a first and second major surface and exhibiting an elongation under tensile stress which is recoverable and such stress is relaxed. A body fluid impervious layer overlies and is adhered to the first major surface of the absorbent layer, said body fluid impervious layer exhibiting less recoverable elongation than the absorbent layer. The absorbent layer is adhered to the impervious layer while the former is under tension and hence, elongated. Accordingly, the absorbent nether garment liner will assume a non-planar arcuate shape.

Abstract: An absorbent product is provided with side leakage control means. The product comprises an absorbent element having first and second major surfaces and is provided with means for retarding premature failure by side leakage, these means comprising a narrow longitudinally extending zone along each of the side edges of the product but spaced away from each of the side edges. The zone is impregnated with a hydrophobic material from major surface to major surface and the extreme longitudinal portions of the absorbent element along the longitudinal edges are free of such impregnation.

Abstract: An improvement in an apparatus for winding a batt of material in strip form carrying a free end of a withdrawal tape to form a rolled body thereof having withdrawal tape attached thereto which comprise a forked shaped totatable winding mandrel having fork tines, means for moving said winding mandrel back and forth in the plane of movement of said batt of material said fork tines positioned so as to straddle the longitudinal side of said batting material which carries the free end of the withdrawal tape with it, the improvement residing in that said winding mandrel contains an interior bore lengthwise thereof which bore is connected to a vacuum source means for transporting said batt of material in rolled form from said winding mandrel to a subsequent work station disposed on the side of the so-formed roll that carries the free end of the withdrawal tape.

Abstract: A barrier film is provided for a product used for retaining body fluids. The barrier film comprises a cationic polyurethane having an ionic charge density sufficient to render the film dispersible in aqueous solutions of relatively low ionic strength yet resistant to body fluids.

Abstract: A binder for nonwoven fabrics is provided comprising a cationic polyurethane having an ionic charge density sufficient to render the fabric dispersible in aqueous solutions of relatively low ionic strength yet resistant to body fluids. The water-dispersible nonwoven fabrics comprise one or more layers of substantially uniformly laid fibers bound with the cationic polyurethane; exhibit good tensile strength in the presence of body fluids such as urine, blood and menstrual fluid; and can be incorporated in body fluid-retaining products such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, surgical dressings and the like. Binders containing condensation residues of a polyisocyanate with an aliphatic polyester polyol are biodegradable.

Abstract: An improvement in a process for preparing a tampon having a withdrawal string or tape positioned against the withdrawal end of the tampon, the improvement comprising forming the tampon body by winding a batting material strip to which is attached a withdrawal string or tape while maintaining said string or tape disposed away from said material strip and in containing it coaxial with respect to the roll axis of the batting material strip disposing the same in a cavity disposed at the withdrawal end of the so formed tampon.