Abstract: A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition includes partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180. The hydrophobic polymeric component can be a colorant within an ethylene matrix or polyethylene. The composition is flushable according to Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Consumer Products (INDA and EDANA, 2006); Test FG 522.2 Tier 2—Slosh Box Disintegration Test. The PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

Abstract: A flushable tampon applicator product includes an outer tube for housing a tampon; an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, and wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition including partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), a plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part; and a wrapper material configured for storage under high and low moisture storage conditions, the wrapper material having a water vapor transmission rate of less than 0.05 g/100 in2/day.

Abstract: A flushable tampon applicator product includes an outer tube for housing a tampon; an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, and wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition including partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), a plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part; and a wrapper material configured for storage under high and low moisture storage conditions, the wrapper material having a water vapor transmission rate of less than 0.05 g/100 in2/day.

Abstract: A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition includes partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180. The hydrophobic polymeric component can be a colorant within an ethylene matrix or polyethylene. The composition is flushable according to Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Consumer Products (INDA and EDANA, 2006); Test FG 522.2 Tier 2—Slosh Box Disintegration Test. The PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

Abstract: A method for forming an injection-molded part includes applying a coating to a mold cavity; maintaining a water-dispersible, thermoplastic composition at a temperature between 170° C. and 190° C., wherein the thermoplastic composition comprises partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow rate of from 40 grams per 10 minutes to 160 grams per 10 minutes when subjected to a load of 2160 grams at a temperature of 190° C. according to ASTM Test Method D1238-E; injecting the thermoplastic composition into the mold cavity; shaping the thermoplastic composition into a molded part within the mold cavity; and maintaining the mold temperature at less than 20° C.

Abstract: A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition includes a water-dispersible polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180. The water-dispersible polymer can be partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer. The hydrophobic polymeric component can be a colorant within an ethylene matrix, polyethylene, a degradation product of glycerin/PVOH, erucamide, or poly(dimethyl siloxane). The plasticizer can be glycerin. The composition is flushable according to Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Consumer Products (INDA and EDANA, 2006); Test FG 522.2 Tier 2—Slosh Box Disintegration Test.

Abstract: A tampon absorbent for insertion into a vaginal cavity is provided. The tampon absorbent includes a longitudinal direction and has an insertion end and a withdrawal end. The tampon absorbent includes a first absorbent material portion at the insertion end for capturing body fluid and demonstrating a first expansion capacity, and a second absorbent material portion at the withdrawal end for storing body fluid and demonstrating a second expansion capacity. The second absorbent material portion is partially wrapped around the first absorbent material portion in a direction transverse (perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction, at a bonding region, whereby the first absorbent material portion is bonded to the second absorbent material portion at the bonding region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body adhering absorbent article which is capable of absorbing bodily fluids. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, provided is an absorbent article which is specifically designed for attachment to a wearer's skin in the vulva region of the wearer's torso.

Abstract: A tampon absorbent for insertion into a vaginal cavity is provided. The tampon absorbent includes a longitudinal direction and has an insertion end and a withdrawal end. The tampon absorbent includes a first absorbent material portion at the insertion end for capturing body fluid and demonstrating a first expansion capacity, and a second absorbent material portion at the withdrawal end for storing body fluid and demonstrating a second expansion capacity. The second absorbent material portion is partially wrapped around the first absorbent material portion in a direction transverse (perpendicular) to the longitudinal direction, at a bonding region, whereby the first absorbent material portion is bonded to the second absorbent material portion at the bonding region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body adhering absorbent article which is capable of absorbing bodily fluids. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, provided is an absorbent article which is specifically designed for attachment to a wearer's skin in the vulva region of the wearer's torso.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body adhering absorbent article which is capable of absorbing bodily fluids. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, provided is an absorbent article which is specifically designed for attachment to a wearer's skin in the vulva region of the wearer's torso.

Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.

Abstract: The present invention provides a body adhering absorbent article which is capable of absorbing bodily fluids. In this particular embodiment of the present invention, provided is an absorbent article which is specifically designed for attachment to a wearer's skin in the vulva region of the wearer's torso.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable absorbent article having a graphic disposed thereon adapted to promote discreet use of said article when used in proximity with a second article of manufacture. Also disclosed are product lines comprising a plurality of designators, such as SKUs, with each designator corresponding to a disposable absorbent article having a different graphic disposed thereon so that a consumer or user can select an article having a graphic that is the same or similar to a second graphic disposed on a second article of manufacture that will be proximate to said disposable absorbent article during use of said article.

Abstract: A body conformance system (22) includes at least one liquid-permeable, flexible containment layer (24), and an operative quantity of substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) constrained by the flexible containment layer (24). In a particular aspect, the substantially free-flowing particulate material (28) can exhibit a selected avalanche-time between avalanches. In another aspect, the particulate material can exhibit a selected, minimum retention capacity. In a further aspect, the system can exhibit a distinctive gap-protrusion area (104). In yet another aspect, the containment layer (24) can include a material that has a relatively high permeability to liquid, but a relatively high resistance to a passage of the particulate material.

Abstract: A fibrous web which includes a first zone composed of fibers which have been treated with a surfactant and a second zone composed of fibers which have been exposed to a corona field. At least one of the first zone and the second zone constitutes less than all of the fibrous web. In addition, the fibers constituting the second zone also constitute a portion of the fibers of the first zone. The first zone and the second zone may involve essentially the same portion of the fibrous web, provided that both zones do not encompass the entire fibrous web. Both the first zone and the second zone may constitute less than all of the fibrous web. In certain embodiments, the fibrous web will be composed of fibers which are at least partially oriented in one direction. Either the first zone or the second zone may encompass all of the fibrous web. That is, the entire fibrous web may treated with a surfactant or exposed to a corona field. Desirably, the entire fibrous web will be treated with a surfactant.