Abstract: A concealed colostomy apparatus comprising a sleeve insertible into the bowel via a discharge opening thereof for retention therein, the sleeve then having a discharge end; a cap removably interfitting the discharge end of the sleeve; and a flexible pouch received in collapsed position into the sleeve to in turn receive feces from the bowel, the cap being removable to allow distending of the pouch outside the sleeve and continued filling of fecal matter into the pouch.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. The absorbent pad includes an absorbent core enveloped by a first layer and a second barrier layer. The first layer and the second barrier layer are secured to each other outwardly of a perimeter of the absorbent core. A deformable third layer is disposed in the absorbent article between the first layer and an outer cover. The deformable layer is adhesively secured to the inner surface of the outer cover. There is no significant securement between the deformable layer and the first layer. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the deformable layer deforms during extension of the outer cover, but such deforming has no significant harmful effect on the first layer. Therefore, damage to the first layer, the second barrier layer, or the absorbent pad, and concomitant release of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad, is avoided.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric is provided for use as a one-piece topsheet and barrier fabric for disposable absorbent articles including diapers, catamenial products, and adult incontinence products. The fabric is engineered to have a strikethrough region that is normally surfactant treated for receiving insults and transporting them to an absorbent core material for storage. The strikethrough region is bounded by liquid barrier regions that are suitable for defining containment structures, including diaper leg cuff. The barrier and strikethrough regions can be designed to have excellent low rewet characteristics and to have balanced properties comparable to or better than conventional spunbonded topsheet at comparable or lower basis weights.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fastening device (1) for releaseable fastening onto textile or textile-like material surfaces, comprising a self-adhesive, pressure sensitive layer (2) with a first surface intended to be firmly fixed against a substrate, as well as a second surface intended to serve as a fastening surface onto the textile or textile-like material surface. What primarily distinguishes the invention is that an essentially incompressible, non-adhesive covering layer (3), with a thickness which does not exceed 0.5 mm and which has a plurality of penetrating openings or pores (4) arranged essentially perpendicularly to the plane of the covering layer (3), is arranged on and fastened to the fastening surface of the adhesive layer (2), wherein the relative distance between two adjacent openings or pores (4) in the covering layer (3) does not exceed 3 mm, whereby the fastening means is suitable for co-operating with a textile or textile-like receiving surface (5).

Abstract: This invention relates to an individually wrapped absorbent article. The absorbent article has first and second ends, first and second sides, and first and second major surfaces. The second major surface of the absorbent article has a garment attachment adhesive secured thereto. A release strip is removably secured to the garment attachment adhesive to prevent premature contamination of the garment attachment adhesive before the absorbent article is secured to an undergarment. The absorbent article is wrapped in a wrapper having first and second ends, first and second sides, and first and second major surfaces. A first major surface of the wrapper is positioned adjacent to the release strip with the first and second ends of the wrapper extending beyond the first and second ends, respectively, of the absorbent article. In addition, the first and second sides of the wrapper extend beyond the first and second sides, respectively, of the absorbent article.

Abstract: An absorbent article includes an absorbent pad and an outer cover. A release agent is applied to one of the outer surface of the absorbent pad and the inner surface of the outer cover. The release agent prevents at least a portion of the outer cover from adhering to the absorbent pad. In embodiments where the outer cover is extensible in a cross-direction and/or a longitudinal direction, the release agent prevents the absorbent pad from resisting mobility of the outer cover. Thus the absorbent pad has substantially no adhesion to the outer cover where the release agent is applied. Therefore, tearing of the absorbent pad and damage to, or release, of superabsorbent material from the absorbent pad during extension of the outer cover, is prevented. The release agent can be a silicon-active agent or a powder material having properties that prevent adhesion between adhesive and a forming tissue of the absorbent pad, or the outer cover.

Abstract: A stretch-thinned polymeric film is formed from a mixture of a polymer matrix including a low crystallinity propylene polymer having not more than about 30% crystallinity, with a particulate filler. The stretch-thinned film is breathable to water vapor yet resistant to penetration by liquids and viruses. The film can be laminated to a nonwoven web, and is useful in a wide variety of medical apparel and related products.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, disposable training pants, feminine hygiene products or an incontinent adult article, containing aloe vera on at least the surface of the article contacting the wearer's skin to reduce rash and methods of making same.

Abstract: An absorbent article which includes a liquid-permeable outer sheet (1) disposed on a first surface of the article, a liquid-impermeable outer sheet (2) disposed on a second surface of the article, and an absorbent body (3) which is enclosed between the two casing sheets and which includes a receiving space (24) for taking-up body liquid, wherein the space is comprised of at least one cavity or region of lower density than the density of a part of the absorbent body (3) adjacent the receiving space (24) and located generally in the same plane. The article is mainly characterized in that the receiving space (24) is disposed in a storage layer (19) in the absorbent body (3), and in that parts (20,125) of the storage layer (19) adjacent the receiving space (24) include a material which when wetted increases in volume in a direction generally perpendicular to the first surface of the article, whereby the size of the receiving space (24) is also increased in this direction as a result of wetting the article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence garments, and feminine hygiene products. The present invention further relates to such absorbent articles having outer coverings designed to provide breathability and promote more healthy internal environmental conditions for the wearer. More specifically, the present invention provides an absorbent article comprising (a) a topsheet; (b) a backsheet; and (c) an absorbent core located between the topsheet and the backsheet; wherein the backsheet comprises a non-porous, substantially fluid impermeable, moisture vapor permeable composite sheet material. Preferably, the composite sheet material is oriented such that the film layer of the composite sheet material faces toward said absorbent core. Where the film layer of the composite sheet comprises a substantially hydrophilic elastomer film layer, the substantially hydrophilic elastomer film is preferably located in contact with the fibrous substrate.

Abstract: An absorbent article, such as a disposable diaper, disposable training pants, feminine hygiene products or an incontinent adult article, containing aloe vera on at least the surface of the article contacting the wearer's skin to reduce rash and methods of making same.

Abstract: Absorbent devices, and more particularly absorbent devices that are worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, that have a emollient composition on their body-contacting surface are disclosed. The interlabial device has a body-contacting surface that is pre-moistened or pre-treated with an emollient to prevent drying of the wearer's labial tissue and to reduce friction of the structure against the wearer's labial tissue. The absorbent device is preferably capable of maintaining contact with the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia majora when worn. The emollient composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil, petrolatum and/or polysiloxane, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or wax to immobilize the emollient on the body-contacting surface of the device, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated surface.