Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed which has a semi-spherically shaped insertion tip for facilitating insertion of a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The tampon applicator includes a first member capable of housing an absorbent tampon. The first member has a central longitudinal axis and first and second ends. An insertion tip is integrally formed on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip contains an aperture which extends therethrough and has a side wall which is aligned essentially parallel to the central longitudinal axis. The insertion tip contains a plurality of pleats arranged to form a semi-spherical configuration. The pleats are capable of expanding radially outwardly as the tampon is expelled from the first member. The applicator further includes a second member telescopically mounted in the second end of the first member. The second member is adapted to expel the tampon through the insertion tip as it is pushed into the first member.

Abstract: A thermoplastic applicator is disclosed which exhibits accelerated breakup when immersed in water. The applicator includes a hollow, cylindrically shaped member which holds a pledget. This cylindrically shaped member is constructed of a water-soluble or water-dispersible material and has a wall with a thickness of less than about 0.05 inches (about 12.7 mm). A plurality of grooves are formed in the wall in a predetermined pattern to accelerate breakup of the applicator into small unrecognizable pieces. The grooves have a depth of between about 5 percent to 75 percent of the thickness of the wall. The deeper the grooves, the shorter the time period needed to breakup the applicator.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed which includes first and second telescopically assembled members. The first member is designed to house an absorbent tampon. The first member has first and second spaced apart ends and is formed from at least two separate and distinct layers. An insertion tip is integrally formed on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip is constructed from at least one of the two distinct layers and has a thickness which is less than that of the first member. The second member is telescopically mounted in the second end of the first member and is adapted to expel the tampon through the insertion tip as it is pushed into the first member.

Abstract: A method for injection molding a thin walled article. The apparatus includes a mold having first and second mold blocks which are designed to mate with one another and form a mold cavity therebetween. The mold cavity has a peripheral surface and first and second ends. The apparatus also includes a third mold block which is designed to mate with the first and second mold blocks and closes off the first end of the mold cavity. The third mold block has an elongated core pin which extends into the mold cavity when the third mold block mates with the first and second mold blocks. The apparatus further includes a lifter designed to mate with the first and second mold blocks and closes off the second end of the mold cavity. The core pin engages with the lifter thereby maintaining a radial distance between it's outer periphery and the peripheral surface of the mold cavity.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed which includes a thin walled member adapted to hold and dispense a substance. The thin walled member is formed from at least two separate and distinct layers and has first and second spaced apart ends. The applicator also has an outwardly extending fingergrip ring integrally formed adjacent to the second end which serves to facilitate control of the applicator, facilitate comfortable insertion of a substance into a body cavity or on an area of the skin, and easy removal of the applicator.

Abstract: A combination undergarment and absorbent article is disclosed. The absorbent article includes an absorbent and a baffle. The baffle has first and second longitudinal side edges, a first end and first and second appendages extending laterally outward from the first and second longitudinal edges, respectively. Each of the first and second appendages are aligned at an angle relative to the respective longitudinal side edge. Each angle is measured between an edge of the respective appendage closest to the first and the respective longitudinal side edge adjacent to the first end. Each appendage has sufficient length to be folded inward around the undergarment and overlap the other appendage. The absorbent article also includes attachment mechanisms for holding the absorbent article to the undergarment. The attachment mechanisms include a first attachment member positioned between the absorbent and the baffle and a second attachment member secured to one of the appendages.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring the crush recovery of an absorbent article. The apparatus includes a tester having first and second arms, at least one of which is movable. The apparatus also includes a first frame member attached at one end to the first arm of the tester. The first frame member has a shoulder with a first wand extending outwardly therefrom. The apparatus further includes a second frame member attached at one end to the second arm of the tester. The second frame member has a shoulder with a second wand extending outwardly therefrom. The first and second frame members are interleaved such that the first and second wands are spaced apart to enable an absorbent article to be positioned therebetween. Movement of the first frame member relative to the second frame member causes the absorbent article to be crushed in a sideways direction between the shoulders.

Abstract: A method of forming a tampon is disclosed wherein the tampon is useful in preventing premature leakage of body fluid from a woman's vagina, especially during her menstrual period. The method includes the steps of cutting individual absorbent members from an absorbent strip. Each absorbent member is then shaped to form an elongated absorbent having an outer periphery. A liquid-permeable cover is secured to the outer periphery of the elongated absorbent to form a softwind. The softwind has a first end and a second end. The softwind is then folded on itself such that the first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and the softwind contains at least two folds therebetween. The softwind is then compressed into a pledger and a withdrawal string is secured thereto to form a tampon. Alternatively, the withdrawal string can be attached to the softwind before it is compressed. The withdrawal string facilitates removal of the tampon from a woman's vagina.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member. The apparatus includes first and second members. The first member is capable of holding the tubular member and has an external shoulder beyond which the first end of the tubular member extends a set amount. The second member is coaxially aligned with and is engageable with the first end of the tubular member. The second member includes a pilot which is sized to be inserted into the first end of the tubular member. The second member also includes a sleeve which surrounds the pilot and cooperates with the external shoulder when the second member engages the first end of the tubular member to form a curling chamber. The second member further includes a curling element positioned between the pilot and the sleeve which is capable of contacting the first end of the tubular member. The apparatus further includes means for rotating one of the members and means for moving the members into engagement.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a sanitary napkin, a diaper, training pants, an incontinent garment or a bedpad is disclosed for absorption of human exudate. The absorbent article includes an absorbent having a homogeneous composition with an essentially constant density in the x-y plane. The absorbent has at least two distinct portions which are integrally joined together by a junction line and each portion has a thickness different from an adjacent portion. The absorbent is folded on the junction line to obtain a variable density along the z axis. The folded absorbent also has a uniform capillary size in the x-y plane and a variable capillary size in the z direction. The absorbent article further includes a liquid-permeable cover which is positioned adjacent to at least one surface of the absorbent. A method of forming the article is also disclosed.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. An apparatus for coating paper and a method of forming the paper into an applicator are also disclosed. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. The exterior surface of the tubular member is coated with a water-insoluble coating which is comprised of from between about 95 to about 98 percent by weight of a polymeric material and from between about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of a slip agent. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.35 to about 0.56 and a wet coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.78 to about 1.06.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. An apparatus for coating paper and a method of forming the paper into an applicator are also disclosed. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper and has an interior and an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. At least one of the surfaces of the tubular member is coated with a water-insoluble coating which is comprised of from between about 95 to about 98 percent by weight of a polymeric material and from between about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of a slip agent. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.35 to about 0.56 and a wet coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.78 to about 1.06.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube. The apparatus includes a first punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube and having a configured tip with a plurality of elongated grooves formed therein. The first punch also contains a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The first punch and tube are mateable with a first die. The first die includes a base having a plurality of blades extending axially outward therefrom. Each blade is designed to engage with one of the grooves formed on the first punch and causes the tip of the tube to be crimped therebetween. After an end of the tube has been crimped, it is transformed into a plurality of pleats and configured into a semi-spherically shaped tip having a central aperture formed therethrough. This is accomplished using a second punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is disclosed which includes first and second telescopically assembled members. The first member is designed to house an absorbent tampon. The first member has first and second spaced apart ends and is formed from at least two separate and distinct layers. An insertion tip is integrally formed on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip is constructed from at least one of the two distinct layers and has a thickness which is less than that of the first member. The second member is telescopically mounted in the second end of the first member and is adapted to expel the tampon through the insertion tip as it is pushed into the first member.

Abstract: An absorbent article having an attachment mechanism is disclosed along with a method of attaching the absorbent article to an undergarment. The absorbent article includes an absorbent and a baffle secured to the absorbent. The baffle has first and second longitudinal side edges, a first end, and first and second appendages extending laterally outward from the first and second longitudinal side edges, respectively. Each of the first and second appendages are positioned adjacent to the first end and aligned at an angle relative to the longitudinal side edges. Each appendage has a sufficient length to be folded inward and overlap the other appendage. The absorbent article further includes a first magnet positioned on or secured to the baffle and a second magnet secured to one of the appendages. The method includes positioning the absorbent article on an undergarment with the baffle contacting an interior surface of the undergarment.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. The exterior surface of the tubular member is coated with a water-insoluble coating which is comprised of from between about 95 to about 98 percent by weight of a polymeric material and from between about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of a slip agent. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.35 to about 0.56 and a wet coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.78 to about 1.06. These low dry and wet coefficient of kinetic friction values facilitate insertion of the applicator into the body cavity.

Abstract: A panty shield is disclosed having a magnet attachment mechanism. The panty shield includes a baffle having a body-facing surface and first and second longitudinal side edges. First and second appendages extend laterally outward from the first and second longitudinal side edges, respectively. Each of the first and second appendages has a sufficient length to be folded inward and overlap one another. The panty shield further includes a first magnet secured to the baffle and a second magnet secured to one of the appendages. The appendages are folded around the crotch portion of an undergarment such that the appendages overlap one another. In this position, the first and second magnets are superimposed and can hold the panty shield secure to the undergarment. An absorbent article can be releaseably attached to the panty shield.

Abstract: An encapsulated catamenial tampon is disclosed which can easily and comfortably be inserted into a woman's vagina. The tampon includes an absorbent having a withdrawal string attached thereto. The absorbent is retained in a dissolvable capsule having a cylindrically-shaped base member and a semi-spherically shaped cap member. The base member houses at least a portion of the absorbent and contains a first end and a second end. The first end is completely open while the second end has an opening formed there in through which the withdrawal string passes. The cap member slightly overlaps the first end of the base member to enclose the absorbent. Both the base and cap members have a plurality of openings formed therethrough which decrease the surface area of the capsule to allow the capsule to dissolve quickly.

Abstract: A tampon is disclosed which exhibits low frictional drag during insertion into and withdrawal from a woman's vagina. The tampon includes an absorbent compressed into a generally cylindrical shape and a liquid-permeable cover which surrounds at least a portion of the absorbent. The cover is treated with an aqueous solution having a viscosity of at least 50 cps at a temperature of about 25.degree. C. The solution includes a lubricant and at least about 3 percent by weight of a polymer. The polymer serving to prevent the lubricant from migrating away from the cover such that the tampon retains a sufficient amount of lubricant to facilitate comfortable withdrawal from the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of assembling an inner tube into a hollow outer tube is disclosed for forming a tampon applicator. The apparatus includes a first member configured to mate with the outer tube and a second member configured to mate with the inner tube. A vacuum is intermittently supplied to the first and second members to hold the inner and outer tubes in coaxial alignment. The apparatus also includes a push rod which is designed to contact and move the inner tube off of the second member and into the outer tube. The movement of the push rod is activated by a control mechanism which can reciprocally move the push rod a predetermined distance at a set time to permit the inner tube to be inserted into the outer tube. The control mechanism also enables the push rod to be separated the inner tube after the two tubes are assembled.