Abstract: A disposable absorbent undergarment such as a diaper includes short pants and a liquid-absorbent pad attached to an inner surface of the short pants. The short pants has a front waist section, a rear waist section, a crotch section interposed therebetween, a waist-opening and a pair of leg-openings. The crotch section, the waist-opening and the leg-openings are elastically stretchable. A circumferential region defined by portions of the front and rear waist sections between the waist opening and upper ends of the leg-openings is also elastically stretchable.

Abstract: Absorbent articles, particularly sanitary napkins, having elastically extensible, laterally extending flaps are disclosed. The flaps are further provided with an adhesive for attaching them to a wearer's panty. At least a portion of the elastic extensibility has a vector component in the longitudinal direction. This longitudinally oriented elastic extensibility provides a contractive force which causes the absorbent article to assume an arcuate shape that more readily conforms to the wearer. Further, the extensibility allows the flaps to extend and contract with the edges of the leg openings of the wearer's panty so the flaps are more reliably adhered to the panty.

Abstract: Disclosed is an infusion pump for expelling a fluid from a collapsible fluid reservoir to a patient. The pump includes a housing having a chamber therein for receiving the fluid reservoir. A first wall is provided on the housing for contacting the fluid reservoir, and a second wall is movable from a first position distanced from the first wall to form the chamber therebetween, and a second position relatively closer to the first wall. Advancing the movable wall from the first position to the second position expels fluid from the collapsible reservoir at a substantially constant rate by applying increasing force on the fluid reservoir through the dispensation cycle. Preferably, the first and second walls are provided with non-planar complementary surface configurations for contacting the collapsible reservoir. Retraction mechanisms for retracting the movable wall from the second position to the first position, and user readable indicium of the status of the dispensation cycle are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided a BM containment system for personal care products having an expandable material which expands upon contact with fluids to form a compartment in which BM may be contained. The system may optionally have a dewatering layer on the side away from a wearer of the personal care product. The system may also be in liquid isolation from other personal care product components which are located on the side away from a wearer in order to keep the BM containment system from expanding from exposure to urine. Liquid isolation may be provided by a film between the other system components and the traditional personal care product components.

Abstract: A method of securing an elastic band between two material layers which are at least partially defined by meltable material includes forming perforations in the elastic band, placing the elastic band between two material layers, and bonding the material layers to one another through the perforations by heat fusion, wherein the perforations in the elastic band are formed at the same time as the material layers are fused together (i.e., the formation of the perforations in the elastic band is directly followed by bonding together, through the perforations, portions of the material layers). An elastic band secured between two material layers for inclusion in articles of one-time use includes the use of material layers that are at least partially defined by meltable material and an elastic band having perforations formed therein. The material layers are positioned on opposite sides of the elastic band and are joined together by heat fusion in a punctiform and/or linear bonding pattern.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes at least one fit panel which is located in one of the waist sections of the absorbent article adjacent an end edge of the absorbent article. The fit panel extends laterally beyond both of the side edges of an absorbent chassis of the absorbent article. The fit panel may include a center bridge panel and a pair of laterally opposed side panels which are connected to opposed lateral edges of the bridge panel. Desirably, the bridge panel and side panels provide individual zones of elasticity across the width of the fit panel which have different elastic properties.

Abstract: A disposable diaper has front and a rear bodies permanently welded together at a crotch zone along a welding line convexly curved upward. Fasteners are formed along side edges of one of the front and rear bodies to enable the bodies to be releasably attached together to form the basic structure of the diaper. An auxiliary liquid absorbent panel is permanently attached to float above the convexly curved welding line of the crotch zone for greater absorbency.

Abstract: The thermal isolation apparatus for the protruding probe of a biomedical thermometer includes an insulative air gap and a heat sink disposed between the surface of the probe and the optical path through the probe. The heat sink surrounds the optical path, such as a waveguide, and acts to evenly distribute any heat along the entire length of the waveguide to avoid temperature variations. Additionally, the heat sink has sufficient mass for high heat capacity and may slow the progress of any heat from reaching or leaving the waveguide until after the measurement by the biomedical instrument has been completed. Disposed over the heat sink is a boot which forms the closed air space between the heat sink and the outer probe surface. The air gap combined with the heat sink provide relative thermal isolation of the optical path through the probe and provide relative thermal isolation of the target anatomy from the temperature of the probe.

Abstract: Disposable absorbent articles which include an outer cover, an absorbent chassis, an adjustable belt and belt loops are described. The adjustable belt is located in one waist region of the absorbent article and includes a fastener on each of it's opposed end portions. The belt loops are located inward from and adjacent to each of the fasteners on the adjustable belt and the longitudinal ends of the belt loops are attached to the absorbent article to slidably contain the adjustable belt between the belt loops and the waist region. The fasteners on the adjustable belt are configured to releasably engage the opposite waist region of the absorbent article. Desirably, the adjustable belt and belt loops are located on an inner surface of the absorbent article such as the bodyfacing surface of the outer cover or the bodyside liner. The absorbent article may also include fasteners on the belt loops to provide another pair of fasteners.

Abstract: A distinctive absorbent garment article generally delimits a front waistband section, a rear waistband section and an intermediate section which interconnects the front and rear waistband sections. The article has a substantially fluid-impermeable backsheet layer, a liquid permeable topsheet layer, positioned in facing relation with the backsheet layer, and an absorbent body located between the backsheet layer and topsheet layer. The absorbent body includes a distinctive humidity transfer region which is advantageously configured to exhibit relatively low moisture retention. A vapor permeable panel is connected to the backsheet layer at one or more waistband sections of the article, and is arranged in an overlying registry with the humidity transfer region of the absorbent body.

Abstract: An absorbent article (10) such as a sanitary napkin, having an elongate absorbent core (12) delimited by an upper surface (14) and a lower surface (16), a pair of opposed longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) terminating in longitudinal edges (22, 24), and a pair of opposed transverse edges (26, 28). The core has a first end portion (30), a second end portion (32) and a mid portion (34) located between the end portions. The article further includes a liquid permeable topsheet (36) extending over the upper surface (14) and a liquid impermeable sheet (38) covering the longitudinal edge portions (18, 20) of the absorbent core (12). A strip of generally hydrophobic resilient material (40) is placed between the liquid impermeable sheet (38) and the absorbent core (12) along each longitudinal edge portion (18, 20) of the absorbent core in at least the mid portion (34) to thereby increase the flexure resistance of the article.

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 includes a wrapper for packaging the absorbent device. The wrapper provides a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the absorbent device. The wrapper being at least partially removable from around the absorbent device wherein at least a portion of the wrapper remains between a user's hands and the absorbent device when the absorbent device is inserted into the interlabial space to prevent the user's hands from contacting the absorbent device for hygienic insertion. The wrapper is folded about the absorbent device relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion forming a longitudinal fold, an opposing open end, and transverse side edges. The opposing open end and transverse side edges are sealed forming the individual package.

Abstract: A sheet-like pack 1A for the nose, being applicable to the skin of the nose, comprises a holding member 20 and a cosmetic material 30, and a receding portion 6 is formed at the middle of an upper edge 2 of the pack and a projecting portion 5 is formed at the middle of a lower edge 3 of the pack. These receding portions 6 and projecting portion 5 have shapes which are fittable with each other. This provides a pack for the nose which can readily fit with the nose of various shapes, inclusive of the tip of the nose, and can contribute to an improvement in yield when manufactured in a conveyor system. This also provides for a method of forming a pack and a sheet comprising packs.

Abstract: An absorbent article having a pair of side flaps along transversely opposite side edges of the article. Each of the side flaps is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of pleats that extends longitudinally of the side flap. Each of the pleats includes an elastically stretchable/contractile member that extends along its distal edge so as to operate longitudinally of the pleat.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article for wearing in an undergarment, such as a sanitary napkin, pantiliner, or incontinence pad is described. The absorbent article includes a topsheet, a backsheet, an absorbent core, and a stiffening feature. The stiffening feature places the absorbent article in an initially stiffened condition during placement of the article in an undergarment. After the article is subjected to the forces exerted by the body of the wearer, the stiffening feature no longer provides an increased initial stiffness and the article becomes more flexible.

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: A disposal tape securing arrangement used to secure a disposable body fluid absorbent article such as a disposable diaper in a rolled up state for disposal includes an adhesive tape and a release tape. The adhesive tape is fixed at one end portion to the outer surface of the article and has an adhesive zone on the opposite end portion (i.e., free end portion). The release tape extends in alignment with the adhesive tape and has a release portion fixed to the outer surface of the article and a fold-back portion being contiguous to the release portion and folded back adjacent the end of the adhesive tape. The adhesive zone provided on the adhesive tape is releasably bonded to the release portion and the fold-back portion of the release tape is fixed to the inner surface of the free end portion of the adhesive tape.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent article has a liquid impermeable backsheet, a liquid permeable topsheet, and an absorbent structure therebetween. The backsheet defines a liquid barrier zone on both sides of the absorbent structure, and a pair of liquid impermeable containment flaps overlie the liquid barrier zones. Leg elastic members are disposed along the side edges of the backsheet, and flap elastic members are disposed in the liquid impermeable containment flaps. A liquid barrier is in each liquid barrier zone, and extends between the front edge and back edge of the liquid impermeable backsheet. Each liquid barrier is desirably between a respective leg elastic member and flap elastic member.

Abstract: A shorts type disposable diaper includes a body having a liquid permeable topsheet, a liquid impermeable backsheet, and an absorbent member interposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. The body includes a stomach-side portion which is located on the stomach side of a diaper wearer when the diaper is worn, a back-side portion which is located on the back side of the wearer when the diaper is worn, and a crotch portion which is located between the stomach-side portion and the back-side portion. The body has a pair of first expansible side panels, each of the first expansible side panels being affixed to each longitudinal side of the stomach-side portion and a pair of second expansible side panels, each of the second expansible side panels being affixed to each longitudinal side of the back-side portion.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an improved waist flap which includes a central zone and a pair of laterally opposed side zones which extend laterally outward from the central zone to the side edges of the absorbent article. The side zones of the waist flap are elasticized such that they are capable of being elongated in the lateral direction when the side edges of the absorbent article are extended to fasten the absorbent article about the waist of a wearer. The central zone of the waist flap may be substantially inelastic such that it conforms to the wearers body and, in particular, to the small of the wearer's back.