Abstract: An inserter for low density tampons adapted to provide sufficient internal rigidity to the tampon to permit insertion, and to radially or laterally spread the tampon after insertion. The inserter has two telescopically associated tubular members. The outer member has an internal central shaft over which the tampon is draped and which provides the insertion end of the tampon with its necessary rigidity while also serving as a guide rail for the inner member. The wall of the outer member encloses and retains the trailing end portion of the draped tampon during insertion. The inner member is disposed in slidable relationship with the inner walls and with the central shaft of the outer member and is used to expel the tampon from the outer tube and to spread the trailing end portion after expulsion while the forward end of the tampon is held against movement.

Abstract: An improved tampon-inserter stick combination in which the socket disposed in the rear portion of a compressed tampon and adapted to frictionally receive a removable inserter stick is provided with a convex bumper at the base of the socket. The bumper acts as a stop to control the depth to which the leading end of the stick can be pushed into the socket and, by eliminating or minimizing the tapered configuration at the base as found in prior art sockets, assures that the frictional resistance between inserter stick and socket is substantially uniform for all products, while eliminating the possibility that the inserter stick might be pushed too far into the socket during packing, handling or insertion and make removal difficult. The improved socket structure thus insures easy removal of the inserter stick after the tampon has been positioned in the vagina by the user. A tool for forming the socket is also defined.

Abstract: Solvent-drying, particularly of water-wetted materials, is accomplished through the use of specific azeotropic mixed-solvent systems. The azeotropic systems used in the method of the invention are those which form two or more separate layers, in which the water distribution equilibrium favors the concentration of water or other liquid being removed in one layer over the other. The water or other liquid, therefore, concentrates in one layer facilitating removal by separation of the layers. Drying of the material takes place in the other layer which maintains a constant liquid concentration sufficiently low so as to produce a substantially dried product. Temperature control of the solvent bath and separator contents results in a single-layer drying bath and facilitates separation in a preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A bag formed of heat-sealable material and having a strap attached so as to extend substantially across one side dimension with means for forming apertures to project the strap through the bag side walls to close the bag and provide a carrying handle. Disclosed embodiments include bottom loading and top loading versions of the improved bag as well as preferred constructions of the strap and the means for projecting the strap through the bag sidewalls. The bag can be used as a container for marketing goods in a sealed condition and, when open, can be reclosed by means of the strap resulting in a handy receptacle for a wide variety of uses.

Abstract: A self-expanding low density catamenial tampon made up of intermeshing loops of resiliently deformable strip material. The intermeshed loops are arranged in the form of an openwork spheroid with the strips crossing at the top and bottom of the vertical axis of the spheroid. The strips at the bottom crossing area are secured together by a withdrawal string.A special inserter for the tampon is also described, the inserter is comprised of a tubular tampon-containing member and an internal pusher element in slidable association with the tube member and having an axial tampon-supporting frontal extension thereon. When combined with the inserter the spheroidal tampon is collapsed with the top and bottom crossover areas juxtaposed. The elongate tampon-supporting pusher element is positioned at the bottom crossover point and the rest of the tampon is folded down around the element to form the tampon into an inverted cup shape. The cup-shaped tampon is then pushed into the outer tubular member by the pusher element.

Abstract: A litter for poultry which is absorbent but capable of giving up absorbed liquids to the atmosphere under conditions of usual use in poultry houses so that the litter tends to be maintained dry to the touch and uncompacted. The litter is itself a body of moisture containing crumbs formed of low density bark and cellulosic fibrous material adhered to and carried by the bark. The poultry litter following use has a utility as cattle feed.

Abstract: A soft, nonwoven web is produced by adding directly to a thermoplastic polymer at the time of extrusion a lubricating agent having an HLB number in the range of 8 to 20 and a molecular weight in the range of from 200 to 4000. The lubricating agent is uniformly distributed into the polymer as extruded into filaments. The filaments are collected to form a web and then subjected to heat treatment in the range of from 180.degree.-260.degree.F. for at least about 1-7 seconds. The lubricating agent migrates to the surface of the fibers producing a release effect and preventing secondary bonding from occurring. After pattern bonding to provide spaced areas of high intensity bonds, the result is a soft, strong nonwoven web having particular utility as a liner for disposable diapers and catamenial devices.

Abstract: A prefolded disposable diaper which is originally of substantially rectangular configuration and which is folded transversely in half with the body contacting surface internally disposed and has the outer segments of the transverse fold inverted and tucked back into the interior of the folded diaper to form a pair of facing triangular panels on each side of the folded diaper to define a centrally disposed flat-bottomed pocket. The internally disposed surfaces of the facing panels on each side of the pocket are adhesively attached to the interior body contacting surface by means of a strategically placed, narrow stripe of adhesive spaced outwardly from the pocket and disposed perpendicular to and straddling the transverse fold. When the diaper of this construction is opened up and partially flattened by the user in preparing the diaper for application to the child, the strategic placement of the adhesive stripes causes the side edges of the diaper to automatically flare outward.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing fibrous material into fluff and substantially individual fibers. The apparatus includes a hammermill having an impermeable wall of grid-like configuration against which fibrous material to be fiberized is thrown by impact element rotation. The fibrous material is conveyed through the mill in an air stream which defines a general path for the fibrous material under the influence of impact element rotation. The grid-like wall serves to slow the particles of fiber rebounding from the wall so that the particles are subjected to repeated impacts by the impact elements of the mills. Rings divide the interior of the hammermill to control the fiber flow in the air stream to the outlet. A pair of hammermills in sequence permits pulps which are difficult to defiberize to be readily reduced to fluff.

Abstract: Fibrous webs are bonded by passing through a nip comprising an anvil and a hammer vibrating at high frequencies in the presence of uncombined liquid. The liquid is moved within the web causing rearrangement and entanglement of the fibers resulting in improved web properties such as strength, drape, and softness. The nature of the rearrangement and entanglement may be varied to produce random or highly entangled webs having correspondingly varying properties. Other embodiments include the use of additional fibers or other materials in the liquid or in the web and the bonding of multiple layers.

Abstract: A tape fastener system for disposable diapers in which the tape is disposed on the liner, or front cover, of the diaper, and is of a unitary composite construction such that an integral surface portion of the tape acts as a releasable protective means for a pressure sensitive surface area of the composite tape. The fastener system comprises a composite tape formed from two connected strips of pressure sensitive sheet material longitudinally aligned and joined to each other at a narrow zone of overlap. The strips are overlapped with their adhesive surfaces in contact so that one end portion of the composite tape adjacent the overlap zone has its adhesive surface disposed on the face of the tape opposite from face of the tape on which the adhesive surface of the other end portion is disposed.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive tape attachment system for disposable diapers in which the strippable protective release sheet for the pressure sensitive tape has one end permanently secured to the outer or non-body contacting surface of the diaper. The protective sheet remains attached to the outer surface of the diaper when the latter is worn.

Abstract: An improvement in the composition of particulate, water-insoluble alkali metal carboxylate salts of starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers of the type which are produced by saponifying starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers with an alkali metal base in an aqueous alcoholic medium and which particulate copolymer in its unimproved form is capable of absorbing in excess of 50 parts of aqueous fluids per part of copolymer when saturated. The improvement comprises the intermixture with the particulate copolymer of fumed silica or fumed alumina particles in an amount sufficient to increase markedly the rate at which the mixture absorbs physiological fluid as compared to the rate of absorption for such fluids exhibited by the copolymer before the fumed material is added. The mixture also minimizes the undesirable dusting tendency which is a characteristic of the particulate copolymer in the absence of the fumed silica or alumina.

Abstract: A drape for use in surgical procedures having a base sheet of a liquid-repellent material and including a generally U-shaped fenestration with a layer of adhesive surrounding the fenestration and providing for varying the dimensions of the fenestration. The adhesive is protected by a plurality of cover strips which permit the drape to be applied in a folded condition to the patient and unfolded with reduced danger of contamination. In a preferred embodiment the drape also includes a foam-film laminate layer on the top surface thereof around the fenestration for placement of instruments, increased protection against liquid strike-through, reduced glare, and controlled absorbency. In use, the drape of the invention may be combined with other drapes, and an application is described including a stocking and a bar sheet for complete protection in complicated procedures such as knee or hip surgery. An improved method of folding the drape of the invention for increased safety and convenience is also described.