Abstract: The invention provides an individual package in combination with an absorbent interlabial device. The package has a longitudinal axis, a top portion, a bottom portion positioned oppositely to the top portion, a first surface and a second surface. The package may be folded about the longitudinal axis to form two halves or it may be formed from one more sheets fitted together to form the package. The package may be re-sealable. An absorbent interlabial device is positioned within the package. The absorbent interlabial device is readily retrievable from the package such that a user neither touches nor contaminates the absorbent portion of the absorbent interlabial device with any part of her hand prior to the use and in using the absorbent interlabial device.

Abstract: This invention relates to absorbent tampons. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved absorbent tampon having an improved fluid acquisition rate without decrease in capacity or fluid retention characteristics. This is accomplished by an absorbent tampon comprising a layered structure constructed from layers of rayon and cotton. The tampon pledget of the present invention is in the form of a laminar pad of discrete layers. The pledget comprises at least an uppermost layer, a lowermost layer, and at least one intermediate layer positioned between the uppermost layer and the lowermost layer. The uppermost layer and the lowermost layer are each comprised primarily of rayon. At least one intermediate layer is comprised primarily of cotton. In a particular aspect of the invention, the outer layers (i.e. the uppermost layer and the lowermost layer) are comprised of at least about 60% rayon, more preferably at least about 90% rayon, and even more preferably entirely of rayon.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article is provided which is substantially flat prior to use for wearing adjacent a body discharge area having a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline orthogonal thereto, and defining longitudinal and lateral directions respectively. The disposable absorbent article includes a liquid pervious top sheet, a back sheet joined to the top sheet, and an absorbent core intermediate the back sheet and the top sheet. The absorbent core includes an expanding member for expanding the article into a tridimensional structure while being worn by a user. The expanding member is activated by body fluids. The top sheet is capable of expanding as the absorbent article expands upon activation by body fluids.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent device insertable into the interlabial space of a female wearer. The absorbent device comprises a main absorbent portion comprising an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion has a top surface facing toward the vestibule floor of the wearer during insertion into the interlabial space. The upper portion leads the lower portion during insertion of the absorbent device; i.e., the lower portion is spatially opposed to the upper portion, and upon insertion of the absorbent device into a wearer's interlabial space, the lower portion faces away from the vestibule floor of the wearer. Additionally, a fluid acquisition/transfer complex is positioned about and extends at least from the upper portion of the main absorbent portion. The fluid acquisition/transfer complex is configured to be in intimate contact with the folds and creases of the interlabial space of the female wearer.

Abstract: The invention provides an individual package in combination with an absorbent interlabial device. The package has a longitudinal axis, a top portion, a bottom portion positioned oppositely to the top portion, a first surface and a second surface. The package may be folded about the longitudinal axis to form two halves or it may be formed from one more sheets fitted together to form the package. The package may be re-sealable. An absorbent interlabial device is positioned within the package. The absorbent interlabial device is readily retrievable from the package such that a user neither touches nor contaminates the absorbent portion of the absorbent interlabial device with any part of her hand prior to the use and in using the absorbent interlabial device.

Abstract: This invention discloses a substantially flat mechanically expandable pad, i.e., one positioned almost exclusively in the x-y plane, having a expandable member therein that once activated expands the mechanically expandable pad out of the x-y plane and into the z-direction. Such activation occurs when cinch members are used to contract the expandable member in the x or y-directions but cause its expansion in the z-direction. The pad is useful for cleaning, polishing, buffing, etc. and the expandable member has application in other types of absorbent articles.

Abstract: A bag of folded disposable diapers including folded diapers arranged in at least two superimposed stacks in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. Each of the diapers has a pair of substantially planar surfaces which are oriented to be substantially parallel to the side panels of the bag and each diaper is folded along at least one folding line in the cross direction so as to define at least one folded area and two non-folded end areas. The diapers are arranged in the bag such that the non-folded end areas corresponding to the waist areas are positioned inwardly, away from the end panels of the flexible bag.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising freestanding osmotic absorbent sites disposed on or within a capillary substrate. The sites extend outwardly normal to the plane of the absorbent structure or fill apertures within the plane of the absorbent structure. Upon imbibing liquids, the sites of osmotic absorbent can expand without constraint from the substrate.

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 comprises a wrapper for packaging the absorbent device. The wrapper comprises a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the absorbent device. The flexible sheet has an absorbent inside surface adjacent to the absorbent interlabial device, which when the wrapper is opened, provides the user with a sanitary wiping device to wipe the labia while inserting said absorbent interlabial device into the interlabial space. In one embodiment, the wrapper is folded about the absorbent device relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion of the absorbent interlabial device forming a longitudinal fold, an opposing open end, and transverse side edges. The opposing open end and transverse side edges are sealed to form the individual package.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article preferably being a sanitary napkin that comprises a longitudinal centerline, a transverse centerline, a pair of longitudinal edges, two end edges, a first end region extending from one of the end edges toward the transverse centerline, and a second end region extending from the other end edge toward the transverse centerline. Also, there is a central region positioned between the first and second end regions. The sanitary napkin further comprises a first surface, a second surface that is faced opposite to the first surface wherein the flexure-resistance of the sanitary napkin as measured through the first and second end regions is greater than the flexure-resistance of the sanitary napkin as measured through the central region.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of making a multi-layered absorbent composite web. The web comprises at least a primary material and a secondary material. The primary material comprises apertures wherein fibers from the secondary material are inserted for fluid capture and transport. The secondary material may form a layer on the primary material once the apertures of the primary material are filled. That is, the secondary material may form a layer of material placed adjacent to the bottom surface of the primary material.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a liquid pervious topsheet (4), a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core (8) surrounded by the topsheet (4) and the backsheet is improved in such a manner as to be deformed in the width direction without being distorted inappropriately when undergoing a widthwise compressive force. The absorbent core (8) includes a central core piece (12) and a pair of side core pieces (14) disposed on both sides of the central core piece; or includes a central core portion, a pair of connecting portions extending downwardly from the opposite side edges of the central core portion, and a pair of side core portions extending widthwise outwardly from the connecting portions. When a widthwise compressive force is exerted, the side core pieces or the side core portions are displaced widthwise inwardly and caused to sink below the central core piece or the central core portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diaper, incontinence device or training pant having one or more touch-sensitive fragrance members positioned thereon. Generally, the touch-sensitive fragrance member includes a breathable member fixedly attached to a backing member, such as the outer surface or the backsheet. Release agents are positioned between the breathable member and backing member such that when the breathable member is touched, fragrance is released from the release agents through the breathable member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an absorbent article having an adjustment system optimally placed on the backsheet and/or the topsheet to provide the absorbent article with an adjustable fit. Once the absorbent article is fitted about a wearer, the adjustment system may be adjusted to securely fit the absorbent article about a wearer's waist and legs, thus reducing the opportunities for leakage of bodily fluids.

Abstract: A liquid-absorbent sanitary cellulose product, in particular a diaper, sanitary napkin or the like, comprises a liquid-proof back layer (2) and an absorbent body (3). A storage layer (5) is arranged between the absorbent body (3) and the back layer (2), this storage layer (5) consisting of a layer of non-woven material (6) profiled in the direction of thickness (D) of the product by chamber-like impressions (7) being formed, into each of which are inserted super-absorbent hydrogel particles (8).

Abstract: A process to make a profiled disposable absorbent product is disclosed. The disposable absorbent product has a first sheet, a second sheet and a fibrous core. The core is disposed between the first and second sheets and both sheets are joined to each other along a continuous or discontinuous line. The process comprises the steps of joining the first sheet to the second sheet along a line following at least part of the periphery of the core with a distance to the core of 3 mm to 8 mm; and calendering the core between the sheets in a calender to approximately uniform density, the calendering being such that the core expands along its periphery and thereby reduces the distance of between the edge of the core and the line joining the first sheet to the second sheet by 1 mm or more. The process provides absorbent articles with very small distances between the core and the line of joining the topsheet and backsheet of the absorbent article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles comprising a plurality of bend lines which are predisposed on either or both ends of the article to bend upon encountering the lateral compressive forces caused by the thighs of the wearer, the bend lines comprising, a main rear bend line centrally and longitudinally disposed on the article beginning at a point about one-eighth to about one-half of the distance away from the front edge and extending toward the back edge of the article;a main front bend line or lines centrally and longitudinally disposed on the article beginning about the front edge and extending up to the beginning point of the main rear fold line, or comprising two parallel fold lines longitudinally disposed on the article beginning at about the front edge and extending to about the beginning of the main rear bend line, or comprising two parallel bend lines longitudinally disposed on the article beginning at about the front edge and extending for about one-forth to about two-thirds of the f

Abstract: An article is described for absorbing body fluid from a wearer. This comprises a fluid storage region (7) having a first major face on one side thereof and a second major face on the opposite side thereof, and first (6) and second (8) fluid receiving regions adjacent the first and second major faces respectively. Each fluid receiving region (6, 8) receives fluid and releases it to the adjacent major face of fluid storage region. The fluid receiving regions (6, 8) are each formed of a dry laid web of staple fibers, the web having a bulkiness, as measured under a pressure of 2 kPa, of at least 20 cc/g.