Abstract: A disposable diaper includes a basic absorbent batt structure having front and rear waist regions and a crotch region, a pair of barrier cuffs extending along opposite sides of the basic absorbent batt structure and at least one supplementary absorbent batt structure placed on the front waist region of the basic absorbent batt structure between the barrier cuffs. The supplementary absorbent batt structure has a proximal end portion thereof joined to the front waist region of the basic absorbent batt structure and has the vicinity of a distal end portion thereof joined to the vicinities of the barrier cuffs.

Abstract: A thin, flexible, high capacity absorbent pad and a method of making such absorbent pads. The absorbent pad contains high levels of superabsorbent material homogeneously mixed with cellulose pulp fluff. The absorbent pad is subjected to high density compaction to achieve the thinness and high absorbent capacity of the invention. The absorbent pad can be used in absorbent articles, such as diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products, incontinence products, and swim wear.

Abstract: Externally detectable electronic article surveillance markers are attached to surgical implements, such as sponges and surgical instruments, appointed for use in a surgical wound. The attachment mechanism facilitates detection by an external interrogating field before the wound has been closed and the patient has left the operating table. The markers are responsive to the imposition of an interrogating field produced by an electronic article surveillance system. Use of the attachment mechanism and markers assure that the surgical implements are reliably detected and removed before completion of the surgical procedure. This technique eliminates the not infrequent mishap in which an implement is undiscovered at the time of surgery and remains indefinitely within the surgical cavity, often entailing dire consequences to the patient.

Abstract: A wearable article comprising a dehydration indicator adapted to measure a urine ionic strength correlated to a specific gravity of the wearer's urine and provide a visible signal when the urine ionic strength reaches a value corresponding to a predetermined threshold of the specific gravity. The wearable article may be a disposable absorbent article. The dehydration indicator may also be comprised in an insert for use with a wearable article. The dehydration indicator may provide qualitative or quantitative information about the ionic strength of the wearer's urine.

Abstract: An adapter for use in connecting a vacuum source with a breast shield is disclosed including a housing with at least one female coupling component formed therein, at least one male coupling component that is adapted to attach to a tube at one end for conveying pressure from the vacuum source, while the other end is sized and shaped to be received in the female coupling component. A passageway extends between the first end and the second end of the male coupling component for conveying the pressure. The female coupling component is defined therein by an interior sidewall that has a channel formed therein open to the female coupling component at least somewhere along the interior sidewall. When the male coupling component is inserted in the female coupling component, a sealing portion of the male coupling component engages the interior sidewall surface such that ambient air is prevented from entering the channel and disrupting optimal vacuum pressure.

Abstract: An absorbent article is provided with a belt 9, 9? attached to or adapted to be attached to the back portion 6 of the article and to the front portion 5 of the article in such a way that the article assumes a pantlike shape, where the belt forms part of the waist portion of the pant and has an outside 11, 11? and an inside 12, 12? which is intended to be in direct contact with a user. The belt comprises first 9 and second 9? belt halves which at one of their ends are permanently attached to the topsheet within bonding areas 13, 13? of the insides 12, 12? in such a way that the belt halves 9, 9? remain substantially flat along their entire length when brought against the topsheet on top of each other, and in such a way that joints 14, 14? which are formed at the bonding areas will be pressed outwards in directions away from the user when the absorbent article is used.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on undergarment includes each of front and rear waist-encircling regions having a first elasticized zone and a second elasticized zone extending in a waist-encircling direction. Tensile stress of the first elasticized zone is greater than that of the second elasticized zone. The undergarment thus constituted can reduce an incidence of intense pressure locally exerted on a waist of a wearer of the undergarment and avoid an occasion whereby an excrement-absorbing function of a core is hindered.

Abstract: A disposable pants-type wearing article includes a body fluid absorbent assembly. In a crotch region of the wearing article, transversely opposite side edges of the body fluid absorbent assembly are respectively formed with folded portions so that a non-folded portion extending in from of the folded portions may have a relatively small extent and a non-folded portion extending behind the folded portions may have a relatively large extent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin including: a backsheet; a liquid-permeable topsheet; and an absorbent layer which is capable of absorbing a liquid and disposed between the backsheet and the topsheet. At least a part of a region in which the absorbent layer is provided is adapted to receive a liquid. The liquid-receiving region includes a raised region in which a hydrophilic material layer is provided. The raised region is continuously elongated in a longitudinal direction of the sanitary napkin. The raised region includes a front region for coming into contact with a vaginal opening of a wearer and a rear region for coming into contact with buttocks of the wearer. When the front region and the rear region are respectively depressed with a given pressure, an amount of the depression of the rear region is larger than an amount of the depression of the front region.

Abstract: Absorbent articles comprising fibrous nits and other free-flowing particles are disclosed. In one embodiment, an absorbent article is disclosed comprising free-flowing particles in a central portion which, in conjunction with other absorbent members, provides excellent body fit and good fluid handling performance. In another embodiment, good leakage control is provided by the combined effect of good intake and fluid handling performance of fibrous nits coupled with a wicking barrier between the nits and the longitudinal sides of the articles. An optional central rising member can further enhance the topography of the article when compressed by urging the portion comprising nits to deflect vertically upward. Methods of preparing cellulosic nits and incorporating them into absorbent articles are also described.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising a stretchable fastening member is disclosed. The absorbent article comprises a chassis and a stretchable fastening member. The chassis extends longitudinally and laterally and comprises a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet and an absorbent core disposed therebetween. The stretchable fastening member comprises a fixed portion permanently joined to the chassis, a distal portion provided with a fastening material and a stretchable panel positioned between the fixed portion and the distal portion. The stretchable fastening member is joined to the chassis such that the distal portion is positioned laterally outwardly from the fixed portion in the flat-out configuration of the stretchable fastening member. The stretchable panel of the stretchable fastening member comprises a first stretchable zone and a second stretchable zone disposed in the lateral direction.

Abstract: The vaginal cleansing swab is utilized by females for cleansing of the vaginal area. The swab consists of an angled applicator shaft with a moisture-absorbent end piece on one end comprised of a dome-shaped tip and three disc-like portions, having a convex cross-section and with the outer diameters of the disc-like portions increasing in size toward a dome-shaped tip. The design of the vaginal cleansing swab provides for easy insertion into and cleansing of the vaginal area.

Abstract: A pull-on disposable diaper has front and rear waist covering regions and a crotch covering region wherein a bodily discharge absorbing component extends over the crotch covering region into the front and rear waist covering regions. In the crotch covering region, the bodily discharge absorbing component is folded inward along first, second and third folding guides in a transverse direction of the absorbing component. A pair of flaps are formed along transversely opposite lateral side edges of the bodily discharge absorbing component. In each of the flaps, a first lateral marginal edge extending along the associated lateral edge is bonded to an outer surface of the bodily discharge absorbing component and a second lateral marginal edge lies on the side of an inner surface of the absorbing component. An elastic member is attached to the flap in a stretched state in a longitudinal direction of the flap.

Abstract: Novel component devices for urine management systems including a novel collection device, a novel conveyance tube, and a novel storage container. The collection device, a novel male catheter, comprises a waterproof, thin-walled conduction tube surrounding the penis, having wettable internal walls and containing a spacing wick. At one end, the conduction tube is connected to, or surrounded by, an elastic compression tube that provides a uniform compressive force around the girth of the penis for attachment and liquid seal to said penis, and at the other end is attached to a fitting that connects to the conveyance tube. The elastic compression tube is radially expanded prior to donning and, when in place over the penis, is allowed to elastically retract, providing radial compression for comfortable, and leak-free fit and use.

Abstract: A disposable pull-on wearing article includes front and rear waist regions, a crotch region extending between the waist regions, a chassis and an absorbent panel. The article has first and second tuckable side zones folded along first and second imaginary tuckable guide lines and tucked the article.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for depositing particulate matter onto a supply of absorbent core fibrous substrate material are disclosed. The apparatus has a feed tray that has an inlet for receiving a supply of particulate matter. At least part of a lower pan of the feed tray is a slideable shuttle pan that has an outlet edge located near a supply of absorbent core fibrous substrate material that is moving in a machine direction. The supply of particulate matter passes over the outlet edge to exit the feed tray. A mechanism operates the shuttle pan through a range of motion having a forward stroke and a backward stroke. During the forward stroke, the outlet edge follows the supply of absorbent core fibrous substrate material.

Abstract: An absorbent article for absorbing body waste. The includes a permeable liner having a body-facing surface oriented for facing a wearer when the absorbent article is worn and an absorbent-facing surface opposite the body-facing surface, an outer cover, and an absorbent body positioned between the liner and the cover. A Yucca sp. extract is positioned between the body-facing surface of the liner and the outer cover.

Abstract: An indicator interposed between a liquid-impervious sheet and an absorbent core of a body fluid absorbent article includes a water-absorbent sheet and indication elements held in close contact with the water-absorbent sheet. The water-absorbent sheet is preferably formed from porous thermoplastic films having a total luminous transmittance of 40% or lower in a dry state and 60% or higher in a wet state.

Abstract: A multi-piece fluid transfer receptacle is used in a male incontinence device. The receptacle includes an outer shell having a first open end adapted for receiving the penis of a user and a second end defining a fluid discharge port. The second end extends beyond the first end a distance sufficient to cover a head of the penis, whereby urine is transferred forwardly from the penis and outwardly from the receptacle through the discharge port. A detachable fluid-management insert is received within the first open end and includes an elongated tongue spaced apart from an interior surface of the outer shell. The tongue forms a backflow barrier between the penis and the outer shell to shield the penis from urine flowing backward towards the user and away from the discharge port.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antiseptic tampon and a method of preparing it, which method consists of introducing metered quantities of a liquid mixture of antiseptic product and hydrophobic excipient into individual sheaths (14) for packaging tampons, then introducing standard tampons (22) into said sheaths (14) so that their lower ends are immersed in the mixture of antiseptic product and excipient, and then closing and sealing said sheaths (14).