Abstract: A topographical support member and method of forming a topographical support member for use in producing nonwoven fabrics, especially tricot-like nonwoven fabrics. The topographical support member includes a body having a top surface comprising a pattern of a plurality of peaks and valleys and a plurality of apertures. The apertures have a conical top portion that is surrounded by a cluster of the peaks and valleys. The center line to center line spacing of adjacent apertures is less than the major diameter of the conical top portion of the apertures. The topographical support member is formed by focusing a laser beam so that the focal point is below the top surface of a starting workpiece and drilling with the laser beam the predetermined pattern of tapered apertures. The pattern of tapered apertures forms the cluster of peaks and valleys surrounding each aperture on the top surface of the resulting support member.

Abstract: In a grease gun having a handle that is manually manipulated from a position extending along the side of the grease gun body to a position oriented at an angle relative to the body to charge the pump of the grease gun with lubricant or some other liquid contained in the gun, and then is moved from the angled orientation relative to the grease gun body to a discharge position or back to the position where the lever handle extends along the side of the grease gun body to operate the pump to discharge the lubricant or liquid, a lock mechanism locks the lever handle in its discharge position extending along the side of the grease gun body preventing it from being moved to its charge position.

Abstract: A topographical support member and a method of forming a topographical support member for use in producing nonwoven fabrics with raised portions, especially intaglio and slub type portions. The topographical support member comprises a body having a top surface including a first micro-sized topographical pattern and a pattern of apertures extending through the body. At least one macro-sized region recessed below the top surface is provided. The micro-sized pattern produces a background portion of the fabric and the macro-sized recessed regions produce the raised portions of the fabric. Multiple levels may be provided in the macro-sized region to produce multiple level raised portions.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing an apertured plastic film having a tricot-like texture. The apparatus includes a film forming member comprising a rotatable hollow drum having a pattern of apertures and a topographical outer surface formed by a cluster of peaks and valleys surrounding each aperture. A plastic film is placed on the apices of the peaks and fluid streams are projected against the film while the drum is rotated. The fluid forces the film against the topographical outer surface of the drum causing the film to become apertured and to have a tricot-like texture corresponding to the pattern of apertures and peaks and valleys.

Abstract: An environmentally-friendly tampon assembly of the type which includes an inner sleeve, an outer sleeve and an absorbent pledget has inner and outer sleeves which are fabricated from a biodegradable, flushable material such as paper. The outer sleeve has an inwardly extending tang for preventing movement of the pledget during retraction of the inner sleeve. The tang is also formed of biodegradable material, and may be formed of material which is from the same blank out of which the outer sleeve was formed. Six different methods of forming the outer sleeve and tang are disclosed.

Abstract: Vaginal epithelium drying is substantially reduced or prevented by reducing the capillary suction pressure of a tampon in early use. This is accomplished by modifying the capillary suction pressure of the surface of the tampon by using hydrophobic components in the tampon, such as hydrophobic fibers and/or hydrophobic cover material. Other means of obtaining a lower capillary suction pressure include increasing the denier of the fibers in the tampon's absorbent core and/or decreasing the density of the tampon.

Abstract: In absorbent products, such as sanitary napkins, discreet areas of dry fibrous materials such as fluid-repellent materials are precisely placed in various planes within the product so as to provide barriers to bodily fluid leakage from the product. In a preferred embodiment, hydrophobic fibers are placed around the periphery of a central absorbent area of an absorbent product to discourage and/or prevent side or end leakage from the product.

Abstract: A solid oral dosage form for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutically effective amount of guanidinothiazole compound; and a therapeutically effective amount of an antacid wherein the pharmaceutical and an antacid are separated by a barrier which is substantially impermeable to an antacid.

Abstract: A digital tampon (20) for feminine hygiene, having a round dome (33) and a recovery tape (24), consists of a blank which is shaped by winding up a length of continuous random fiber web and which is pressed to produce a preform having a fiber core, longitudinal ribs and longitudinal grooves. The longitudinal ribs are pressed weakly to the final shape of the tampon (20; 28). The preform, before being pressed to the final shape of the tampon (20), is shaped as a result of the separate, but simultaneous radial pressing of directly adjacent sectors of its entire circumferential surface to form a longitudinal groove and a longitudinal rib respectively on each sector of the circumferential surface. The longitudinal groove and longitudinal rib assigned to each sector of the circumferential surface (182) are arranged respectively in succession in the same order in the circumferential direction of the preform.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to flurbiprofen-containing compositions for topical administration comprising about 0.5 to 10% flurbiprofen; about 10 to 80% of a lower alcohol; about 0 to 25% of a glycol; about 0 to 5% of a gelling agent; an amount of a pH adjusting agent sufficient to adjust the pH of the composition to a range of from about 2 to less than 4.5; and water in an amount sufficient to make up the balance of the composition, and methods for delivering flurbiprofen-containing compositions through the skin.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for oral administration comprising a film coated tablet exhibiting enhanced disintegration characteristics, said film coating comprising a hydrophilic film forming polymer such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and an alkaline agent wherein the alkaline agent reduces the disintegration time of the film coating by increasing the rate of removal of the film coating polymers.

Abstract: A disposable panty shield comprising a thin, highly absorbent pad having a body-contacting surface, an absorbent layer, a liquid barrier, a positioning means for attaching the pad to an undergarment, and a release layer to protect the positioning means prior to use wherein the has been densified by fusing all pad layers together in a manner such that the interstitial space between the individual fibers in the densified areas is not sufficient to readily allow fluid to flow through. Further, the densified areas are made contiguous such that fluid, when introduced or deposited on the pad, will be prevented or hindered from flowing to the edges of the pad.

Abstract: A disposable panty shield comprising a thin, highly absorbent pad having a body-contacting surface, an absorbent layer, a liquid barrier, an adhesive layer, and a release layer to protect the positioning adhesive prior to use wherein the panty shield has been densified by fusing all pad layers together in a manner such that the interstitial space between the individual fibers in the densified areas is not sufficient to readily allow fluid to flow through, and the liquid barrier has a contoured surface. The adhesive layer is attached to the liquid barrier such that the adhesive follows the contour of the liquid barrier.

Abstract: A hose reel assembly for taking up and feeding out a hose. The assembly includes a non-rotatable shaft having opposite ends, a reel for storing the hose rotatable on the shaft and a hub mounted on the shaft at one side of the reel between the reel and one end of the shaft so that the hub may be slidably applied to and removed from the shaft independent of the reel. The assembly further includes a coupling on the hub for connecting the hub and the hose. The shaft and the hub include passaging for supplying fluid to the hose. A seal is provided between the shaft and the hub adjacent to the passaging for preventing fluid leakage. The hub is releasably connected to the reel for conjoint rotation of the hub and the reel on the shaft and is disconnectable from the reel so that the hub may be removed from one end of the shaft to permit replacement of the seal without removing the reel from the shaft.

Abstract: An automatic air operated grease gun comprising a reciprocating grease plunger for ejecting grease, and a piston, connected to the plunger, for operating the plunger. The piston is slidably mounted in a cylinder to move between a retracted position and an advanced position. A return spring resiliently biases the piston to its retracted position. A switch selectively connects the cylinder to a source of gas under pressure to advance the piston against the return spring. The piston has a plurality of apertures therein, each aperture having an individual seal, and a release for opening the individual seals to relieve the pressure behind the cylinder and allow it to retract under the force of the return spring.

Abstract: Mold clamping apparatus (30) for selectively detachably securing a lower mold plate (20) mounting a lower mold section (M) relative to the lower platen (21), lower bolster (22) and lower housing (12) of a tire curing press (10) comprising, a plurality of bores (21', 22', 12') extending through the lower platen, the lower bolster and the lower housing, a tapered bore (71) in the lower mold plate, a locking rod (31) positioned in each of the bores and extending into the tapered bore, a contractible member (40) affixed to the lower platen and extending into the tapered bore when the lower mold plate is seated on the lower platen, a jam nut (33) mounted on the locking rod movable into and out of engagement with the contractible member, and a biasing assembly 55 urging the jam nut into contact with the contractible member for locking the contractible member in the tapered bore to secure the lower mold plate to the lower platen.

Abstract: A simulated capsule-like medicament comprising a subcoating of a mixture of a water-soluble, film-forming polymer, e.g. hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a hydrophobic plasticizer, e.g. castor oil, which promotes a smooth uniform and substantially bubble free outer coating, e.g. gelatin, for the capsule-like medicament; capsule-like medicaments which are slightly bowed in shape; and a process of making such medicaments.

Abstract: An apertured film for use as a topsheet in absorbent products wherein the film is apertured and includes a plurality of micro-holes and a plurality of large-sized holes. A method of forming the film is disclosed, as well as an absorbent product incorporating the apertured film as a topsheet. The method includes the step of supporting the starting film on a backing member which has recessed zones into which the film may be deformed. In the preferred embodiment, fluid in the form of columnar streams is directed from at least two sets of orifices against the upper surface of the starting film. The orifices of the first set have a diameter greater than 10 mils, and the orifices of the second set have a diameter less than or equal to 10 mils. The fluid is discharged from the smaller orifices at a pressure of at least 500 psig, and the fluid is discharged from the larger orifices at a pressure less than 500 psig.

Abstract: Absorbent articles such as panty liners, thin full-sized sanitary napkins and the like having a garment facing side and a body facing side are provided which may be stored in a folded configuration prior to use. Means of attachment and means of release, most preferably silicone, are created on the garment facing side of the article. The patterns in which the attachment and release means are chosen such that when the article is folded, the adhesive means contact the release means, eliminating the need for release paper, but allowing the article to be unfolded and used. Other embodiments using barrier films affixed to the garment facing side of the article are also disclosed. The barrier films are used in place of an outer wrapper member to protect the body-facing side of the napkins from being soiled prior to use.

Abstract: The present invention utilizes the smooth continuous motion of a masking belt to concentrate air-entrained absorbent materials on the surface of a moving fibrous substrate. Air flowing through the open areas of the masking belt carries the entrained material into the fibrous web. The fibrous web acts as a filter to separate the entrained material from the air stream. Substantially all dispensed material is captured by the fibrous web, and expensive and complex absorbent material recycle systems can be eliminated.