Abstract: An improved process for providing an individually customized fresh brewed coffee beverage on demand by a consumer, in a wide range of variety and strength. Said brewing process for making relatively large quantities of fresh brewed coffee beverages (in particular customized as to desired variety, body, character and/or strengths) as chosen by multiple individual consumers just prior to their consumption, with the system being easy to use by the consumer or other individual (i.e., restaurant wait staff) obtaining the customized beverage. Further, maintenance of the equipment requires only a small amount of personal attention by the owner/operator of the equipment. “Delayed dilution” of a concentrated extract to provide a beverage brewing system which immediately (upon customer selection) provides selective dilution (based on individual consumer's selections) of a fresh brewed coffee extract after the extract has been allowed to brew and held as an extract before dilution.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tampon applicator, having a specific insertion tip structure with overlapping petals, connected to a tube. The petals are preferably curved such that one edge of a petal has an angle with the top edge of the tube of 40° to 60°. The petals are at least partially closed over the tampon and easily openable in use, which provides an improved, safer and more hygienic insertion of the tampon into the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tampon applicator arrangement, having tampon, applicator unit and a film cap, attached thereto, which is at least partially uniformly shaped, typically being conforming to part or all of the tampon or applicator unit, or such that the film cap has the lowest possible surface area. The film cap is so shaped and/or generally under tension and has no rugosites, folds or even wrinkles, other than optionally tension wrinkles, and preferably also no seams or welds. The invention also relates to specific moulding processes for making the film cap and the arrangement of the invention. The arrangements of the invention provide a smoother, easier and safer insertion of a tampon in the body.

Abstract: The present invention provides an impact structure for the absorption of impact forces to the body. The impact structure is worn about a joint and/or muscle group of the body to protect that particular area from forceful blows in such common activities as football, basketball, construction work, etc. The impact structure generally comprises a sheath that fits snugly about the body part of a wearer, one or more impact zones which absorb the impact of a blow, and/or a protective cover which positions the impact zones to be in their correct-anatomical position on a wearer's body member. The protective cover is also used to provide a further defense about the a wearer's body member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to breathable absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and incontinence pads which are adhered by adhesive to an undergarment during use. More particularly the present invention relates to articles which have an air permeable or breathable back sheet, which have a flexibility in a longitudinal direction, and which are particularly well adhered to the undergarment in order to provide improved comfort to the wearer of the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite laminated structure comprising a substrate and an apertured layer joined together by means of a layer of an adhesive composition. The laminated structure is made extensible in designated zones by mechanical straining and the adhesive composition provides both an effective connection of the layers forming the composite laminated structure and an improved processability of the laminated structure by mechanical straining. The composite laminated structure preferably constitutes side flaps in a disposable absorbent article such as a sanitary napkin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and pantiliners and the use of backsheet constructions comprising a three dimensional formed film therein, to provide masking of the materials stored in the absorbent article when viewed through the garment facing surface of the absorbent article.

Abstract: Absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins, having elastically extensible, laterally extending flaps are disclosed. The flaps are further provided with an adhesive for attaching them to a wearer's panty. At least a portion of the elastic extensibility has a vector component in the longitudinal direction. This longitudinally oriented elastic extensibility provides a contractive force which causes the absorbent article to assume an arcuate shape that more readily conforms to the wearer. Further, the extensibility allows the flaps to extend and contract with the edges of the leg openings of the wearer's panty so the flaps are more reliably adhered to the panty.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, adult incontinence devices, and the like, which have flaps are disclosed. The absorbent articles have a deformed hinge that is located between at least a portion of the main body portion of the absorbent article and the flaps, and zones of extensibility for relieving the stresses that develop in the flaps when the flaps are folded down and under a wearer's undergarment.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for at least partially separating a tampon and inserting the tampon into a body cavity is provided. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube having interior and exterior surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a hollow portion and an expulsion end dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity. The tampon holder tube has a feature for separating and spreading a tampon apart during expulsion of the tampon. A plunger may also be telescopically and slidably mounted in the tampon holder tube distal to the expulsion end and adapted to directionally expel the tampon from the tampon holder tube when a user expels the tampon from the tampon holder tube.

Abstract: A tampon is provided with a permeable or soluble barrier layer interposed between an absorbent core and an overwrap, allowing substantially complete, uniform wetting to be obtained even under light flow conditions. The barrier prevents immediate flow of fluid into the core, allowing time for fluid to be carried by the overwrap around the outer surface of the tampon, prior to being drawn into the absorbent core.

Abstract: Individual packages to assist the hygienic insertion of an absorbent device into the interlabial space of a female user are disclosed. The individual package includes a wrapper for packaging the absorbent device. The wrapper provides a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the absorbent device. The wrapper being at least partially removable from around the absorbent device wherein at least a portion of the wrapper remains between a user's hands and the absorbent device when the absorbent device is inserted into the interlabial space to prevent the user's hands from contacting the absorbent device for hygienic insertion. The wrapper is folded about the absorbent device relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion forming a longitudinal fold, an opposing open end, and transverse side edges. The opposing open end and transverse side edges are sealed forming the individual package.

Abstract: A method for providing side-to-side coverage of a tampon within a female user's vaginal cavity is provided. By use of a tampon applicator designed to provide directional expulsion and suitable tampons for use in the tampon applicator, a female user may achieve side-to-side coverage of a tampon within her vaginal cavity. Such directional expulsion causes a suitable tampon to expand against the sides and/or walls of a female user's vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A suitable tampon with a tampon applicator for expelling the tampon to provide side-to-side coverage and inserting the tampon into a body cavity is provided. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube having interior and exterior surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a hollow portion and an expulsion end dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity. The tampon holder tube has a feature for separating and spreading a tampon apart during expulsion of the tampon. A plunger may also be telescopically and slidably mounted in the tampon holder tube distal to the expulsion end and adapted to directionally expel the tampon from the tampon holder tube when a user expels the tampon from the tampon holder tube.

Abstract: The laminated absorbent structure has absorbent gelling material (26) and a first odour absorber (24) each held between separate containing layers (2,4,6). The absorbent gelling material also separates a fluid-receiving surface from the first odour absorber. A second absorber may be a coating sprayed onto the layer (2) so that it is between the gelling material and the first surface. The first absorber is active when not wetted and the second odour absorber is active when wetted. The containing layers are fibrous layers and absorbent gelling material and the odour absorbers are in particle or powder form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article (1) comprising a liquid pervious top sheet (2), an absorbent core (4), and a back sheet (3). Said back sheet comprises a fluid permeable polymeric film having uni-directional fluid transfer towards the core, and said core comprising a fluid storage layer, wherein said absorbent article exhibits a fluid contact angle gradient across said storage layer and said back sheet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article in particular sanitary napkins and panty liners, comprising a liquid permeable topsheet, a backsheet and an absorbent core intermediate the topsheet and backsheet. The absorbent article further comprises an improved odor control system comprising the combination of absorbent gelling material with silica.

Abstract: The invention provides a tampon insertion device comprising a tampon applicator having a first end and a second end, a tampon having a string, the tampon being positioned within the tampon applicator, and a plunger attached to the tampon applicator by the tampon string. The string is attached to the plunger at at least one connection point on the plunger. The tampon applicator with the tampon therein and the plunger are preferably positioned adjacent to one-another in a substantially parallel orientation prior to the use of the tampon insertion device. Such parallel orientation between the tampon applicator and the plunger is maintained by the tampon string connected to the plunger.