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: The invention provides an improved tampon, particularly suited for use as a digital tampon, having a portion of fibers at a withdrawal end of the tampon displaced towards an insertion end, causing a fiber density in the vicinity of the withdrawal end to be lower than an average fiber density of the tampon. The tampon also includes an indentation in the withdrawal end. In combination, the lower fiber density of the withdrawal end and the indentation in the withdrawal end cause the withdrawal end to be soft and readily flareable. When the tampon is provided with an overwrap the indentation also allows excess overwrap at the withdrawal end to be tucked into the tampon, improving the aesthetic qualities of the tampon and facilitating digital insertion.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorption of bodily fluids is provided, including a layer of non-absorbent material defining a tunnel shaped loop and a central portion enclosed by the loop, and an absorbent material retained within the tunnel-shaped loop. The non-absorbent material includes a plurality of apertures through which fluid can flow to reach the absorbent material, and an overwrap material overlies the non-absorbent material to transport fluid over the surface of the non-absorbent material. Preferably the absorbent article is a tampon and the loop is ring shaped.

Abstract: A tampon comprising a compressed pledget of absorbent material, shaped for insertion into a body cavity, and a withdrawal cord attached to the tampon to facilitate removal of the tampon from the body cavity. The pledget, prior to compression, is a filament tow of substantially hydrophilic filaments. The filaments have a substantially permanently crimped configuration, and are disposed in a randomly out-of-phase orientation with respect to each other so as to increase the pore volume ratio of the pledget, i.e., the fraction of pledget volume occupied by interfilament spaces or interstices between filaments. Preferably the pore volume ratio of the tampon is in the range of 60 to 95%, more preferably 70 to 90%, most preferably 80 to 85%.

Abstract: A combination of hot melt and water-based adhesives (solution resin or latex) is particularly advantageous for bonding fibers together to form a layer and for bonding that layer to an adjoining layer. The water-based adhesive, which need not be crosslinkable, provides fiber-to-fiber bonding through the layer of fibers, while the hot melt adhesive bonds the layer of fibers to the adjoining layer. In preferred embodiments, the layer of fibers is moisture absorbent and formed of wood pulp, cotton, rayon, or cellulose triacetate fibers (possibly with the addition of a small amount of thermoplastic fibers to increase bulk); the fibers can be reprocessed fibers of irregular lengths; the water-based adhesive is a latex, non-crosslinkable adhesive; the adjoining layer is permeable to moisture and made of a nonwoven polyolefin, rayon, polyester, or blend thereof; a moisture-barrier layer (e.g.

Abstract: A one-way valve positioned between the nozzle and container of a disposable douche, which is opened and closed by axial movement of the nozzle relative to the container, permitting discharge of the douche contents without permitting backflow. The neck of the container opening having an intermediate cap with axial discharge holes and a flexible valve disk overlying such holes all within the bore of the base of the nozzle. In the closed position, the inner shoulder of the nozzle base seat against the flexible valve disk presenting discharge of the contents through the discharge opening of the intermediate cap. With the axial displacement of the nozzle away from the main body of the container the valve disk, freed of the internal restraining shoulders of the nozzle base, can flex to permit flow of the contents of the container into the nozzle.

Abstract: A shortened tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type employs an ejector tube to store a tampon at its distal end and an outer tube disposed by a slip fit thereover. Directionally-locking inward flaps fixed within the distal end of said outer tube engage the distal end of the tampon stored in the ejector tube thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. The ejector tube advantageously has inwardly biased short stubby fingers at its distal end which catch behind the proximal end of the tampon. Preferably, the applicator tubes are both molded form soft plastic and have an improved restraining means for interlocking the two tubes. This means comprises a stopping ring and a shorter adjacent inner stabilizing ring positioned to project from the inner surface of the outer tube at its proximal end and an axially overlapping a third ring of ribs positioned around the outer surface of the ejector tube near its distal end.