Abstract: A vaginal drug delivery system includes a device formed of porous material that holds a flowable therapeutic formulation. The device, preferably in a soft, prewetted state, is inserted into the vagina to reside typically at or near the cervix where it continuously releases the flowable therapeutic formulation through its outer surface which is in contact with the vaginal surfaces. In operation, the flowable therapeutic formulation migrates via capillary forces from a reservoir that is centrally located in the device and through a covering that envelopes the reservoir.

Abstract: A vaginal drug delivery system includes a device formed of porous material that holds a flowable therapeutic formulation. The device, preferably in a soft, prewetted state, is inserted into the vagina to reside typically at or near the cervix where it continuously releases the flowable therapeutic formulation through its outer surface which is in contact with the vaginal surfaces. In operation, the flowable therapeutic formulation migrates via capillary forces from a reservoir that is centrally located in the device and through a covering that envelopes the reservoir.

Abstract: A vaginal drug delivery system includes a device formed of porous material that holds a flowable therapeutic formulation. The device, preferably in a soft, prewetted state, is inserted into the vagina to reside typically at or near the cervix where it continuously releases the flowable therapeutic formulation through its outer surface which is in contact with the vaginal surfaces. In operation, the flowable therapeutic formulation migrates via capillary forces from a reservoir that is centrally located in the device and through a covering that envelopes the reservoir.

Abstract: This invention relates to absorbent tampons. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved absorbent tampon having improved leakage performance. Tampons, having a primary absorbent member and a mass of secondary absorbent material are disclosed. The mass of secondary absorbent material is preferably located generally proximate the withdrawal end of the primary absorbent member. The primary absorbent member is preferably compressed to a degree greater than the secondary absorbent material.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved absorbent tampon having improved leakage performance. Tampons, having a primary absorbent member which is constructed from an absorbent material compressed to a self-sustaining form and a mass of secondary absorbent material are disclosed. The mass of secondary absorbent material may be a multiple pieces or one piece. The secondary absorbent material may be attached to the primary absorbent member, the withdrawal cord, or both, or may be integral with one or both of these members. The withdrawal cord of the tampon may have absorbent and non-absorbent zones, especially when the mass of secondary absorbent material is attached to the withdrawal cord. The mass of secondary absorbent material preferably has a lower total absorbency than the primary absorbent member. Preferably, the mass of secondary absorbent material is provided with a driving force to direct fluid toward the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: This invention relates to absorbent tampons. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved absorbent tampon having improved leakage performance. Tampons, having a primary absorbent member which is constructed from an absorbent material compressed to a self-sustaining form and a mass of secondary absorbent material are disclosed. The mass of secondary absorbent material is preferably located generally proximate the withdrawal end of the primary absorbent member, and is preferably substantially non-compress, and preferably of a smaller diameter than the primary absorbent member. The mass of secondary absorbent material may be a multiple pieces or one piece. The secondary absorbent material may be attached to the primary absorbent member, the withdrawal cord, or both, or may be integral with one or both of these members. The withdrawal cord of the tampon may have absorbent and non-absorbent zones, especially when the mass of secondary absorbent material is attached to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: This invention relates to absorbent tampons. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved absorbent tampon having improved leakage performance. Tampons, having a primary absorbent member which is constructed from an absorbent material compressed to a self-sustaining form and a mass of secondary absorbent material are disclosed. The mass of secondary absorbent material is preferably located generally proximate the withdrawal end of the primary absorbent member, and is preferably substantially non-compress, and preferably of a smaller diameter than the primary absorbent member. The mass of secondary absorbent material may be a multiple pieces or one piece. The secondary absorbent material may be attached to the primary absorbent member, the withdrawal cord, or both, or may be integral with one or both of these members. The withdrawal cord of the tampon may have absorbent and non-absorbent zones, especially when the mass of secondary absorbent material is attached to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: A container for use in sterilization of medical items is made entirely of resin-treated, fluid repellent, semi-rigid nonwoven material. The container includes a bottom or receptacle having extending side wall or side walls and a cover having depending side wall or side walls. The material is readily permeable to gas or steam, yet is resistant to the transmission of bacteria. The container and its contents may be retrieved from a sterilizing vessel almost immediately after sterilization without special procedures or devices and without fear of being burned. Because of its low cost, the container is disposable and may be molded to a particular shape for use in shipping prosthetic devices, implants or delicate instruments in sterilized condition.

Abstract: A sterilization container for holding medical or surgical items during steam (or gas) sterilization procedures is formed entirely of resin-treated nonwoven material which provides a bacterial filter. The container includes a tray and a cover having correspondingly shaped seal flanges formed to provide a double seal and a tortuous path establishing a bacterial barrier. The lid and tray each have body portions adapted to be firmly gripped or handled with separate hands and the body portions are spaced from and related to the seal flanges in such a manner that the sterilized container may be opened and its contents presented or dispensed while maintaining sterile technique. The container is soft yet semi-rigid even after being subjected to steam sterilization.

Abstract: A high loft, low density, nonwoven fibrous web is provided comprising a plurality of irregularly arranged, intersecting, overlapping, mechanically interengaged, loosely assembled fibers including both thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers and other fibers, segments of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers being heat fused at a plurality of junctures with segments of other thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers and with segments of fibers of other types, with additional binder distributed throughout the web.The web is prepared by air-laying a blend of thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers and other fibers applying heat without pressure to the air-laid blend to fuse at least some of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers to each other and to some of the other fibers to form a self-supporting fibrous web, introducing a latex binder into the web and drying and curing the binder.

Abstract: A delaminatable two-ply diaper facing material is provided in which an outer ply, or layer, is made of irregularly arranged, intersecting, overlapping, mechanically interengaged, loosely assembled natural wood pulp fibers and an inner ply, or layer, contains similarly disposed natural wood pulp fibers and thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers having a melting point lower than that of other fibers in the layer, the latter being in contact with and heat fused with other fibers to provide structural integrity to the inner layer, with fibers in both layers being bonded to each other by a water soluble adhesive binder.The material is prepared by bringing together the aforementioned layers, applying heat in the absence of pressure to fuse the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in the inner layer to each other and to other fibers, introducing a water soluble adhesive binder into the two layers and then drying and curing the binder.

Abstract: An absorbent open network has water-insoluble but water-swellable particles spaced from one another but integral with the network to provide an absorbent structure which is useful as an element in a disposable, body fluid-absorbing article, such as a disposable diaper, sanitary napkin, or the like. Also disclosed are methods for making the absorbent open network structure, and disposable diapers incorporating such absorbent structures.

Abstract: A high loft, low density, nonwoven fibrous material is provided comprising two layers of irregularly arranged, intersecting, overlapping, mechanically interengaged, loosely assembled fibers, one of the layers including thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers at least in the portion thereof at the interface to the other layer, at least some of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in the one layer being in contact with and fused with segments of fibers of said other layer.The material is produced by air-laying the aforementioned layers successively so that some thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in one layer are in contact with some fibers in the other layer, and then applying heat without pressure to fuse and bond at least some of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in one layer to fibers in the other layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for increasing the water-repellency of a normally water-wettable, bonded, non-woven fabric bearing a surfactant selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants. The method comprises heating a selected region of the fabric to an elevated temperature at which the surfactant is unstable, and maintaining the region at the elevated temperature for a time period sufficient to denature the surfactant without damaging the fabric.

Abstract: The invention of the present application comprises a high loft, low density, nonwoven fibrous material and method of making the same. The material has good wet strength, softness, abrasion resistance, and liquid absorbency and retention, and is formed of a plurality of irregularly arranged, intersecting, overlapping, mechanically interengaged, loosely assembled fibers including both synthetic and natural wood pulp fibers which are present in different proportions in various regions parallel to the median plane of the material. Segments of said synthetic wood pulp fibers are heat fused with other segments of synthetic wood pulp fibers and with segments of other fibers at a plurality of junctures throughout the fibrous material to form a self-supporting fibrous structure which does not require any additional binder.

Abstract: A high loft, low density, nonwoven fibrous material is provided comprising two layers of irregularly arranged, intersecting, overlapping, mechanically interengaged, loosely assembled fibers, one of the layers including thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers at least in the portion thereof at the interface to the other layer, at least some of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in the one layer being in contact with and fused with segments of fibers of said other layer.The material is produced by air-laying the aforementioned layers successively so that some thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in one layer are in contact with some fibers in the other layer, and then applying heat without pressure to fuse and bond at least some of the thermoplastic synthetic wood pulp fibers in one layer to fibers in the other layer.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, underpad, surgical dressing or wipe, and the like, is made from a flexible, body fluid-impermeable backing sheet, a layer of absorbent material on the backing sheet, and a soft, body fluid-permeable facing sheet which overlies the absorbent material. The facing sheet is a non-woven, open but interconnected network of oriented thermoplastic polymer fiber elements having a mean denier of not more than 3. In addition to being useful as a separate entity, the absorbent pad of this invention can also be incorporated into a disposable or limited use garment as an integral part thereof.

Abstract: A disposable absorbent pad such as a diaper, sanitary napkin, underpad, surgical dressing or wipe, and the like, is made from a flexible, body fluid-impermeable backing sheet, a layer of absorbent material on the backing sheet, and a soft, body fluid-permeable facing sheet which overlies the absorbent material. The facing sheet is a perforate, substantially hydrophobic thermoplastic web having an integral fibrous or sueded outer surface. In addition to being useful as a separate entity the absorbent pad of this invention can also be incorporated into a disposable or limited use garment as an integral part thereof.