Abstract: A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member disposed in direct contact with the pledget, and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The wicking member is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for making tampons including primary and secondary absorbent members. During assembly, primary absorbent members, a continuous length of secondary absorbent members, and a continuous cord are advanced in a machine direction. Leading edges of the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance. Discrete secondary absorbent members are cut from the continuous length of secondary absorbent members. Leading edges of the discrete secondary absorbent members are also separated from each other in the machine direction by the pitch distance. The continuous cord is positioned on the secondary absorbent members. And a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with a primary absorbent member. A thread is combined with the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for making tampons including primary and secondary absorbent members. During assembly, primary absorbent members, a continuous length of secondary absorbent members, and a continuous cord are advanced in a machine direction. Leading edges of the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance. Discrete secondary absorbent members are cut from the continuous length of secondary absorbent members. Leading edges of the discrete secondary absorbent members are also separated from each other in the machine direction by the pitch distance. The continuous cord is positioned on a first surface of the secondary absorbent members. And a second surface of a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with and in a facing relationship with a primary absorbent member. A thread is sewn through the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member disposed in direct contact with the pledget, and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The wicking member is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for making tampons including primary and secondary absorbent members. During assembly, primary absorbent members, a continuous length of secondary absorbent members, and a continuous cord are advanced in a machine direction. Leading edges of the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance. Discrete secondary absorbent members are cut from the continuous length of secondary absorbent members. Leading edges of the discrete secondary absorbent members are also separated from each other in the machine direction by the pitch distance. The continuous cord is positioned on a first surface of the secondary absorbent members. And a second surface of a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with and in a facing relationship with a primary absorbent member. A thread is sewn through the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods for making tampons including primary absorbent members and secondary absorbent members. In some configurations, the tampons may be constructed with a primary absorbent member formed by a primary absorbent pad in a rolled configuration. In some configurations, the tampons may be constructed with a primary absorbent member formed by first and second primary absorbent pads positioned in a crossing configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a field of microwave energy for the processing of a material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first microwave transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber at a first position, and a second microwave transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber at a second position. The first microwave transmitting device is oriented so that a first portion of the microwave energy is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The second microwave transmitting device is disposed so that a second portion of the microwave energy is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The second microwave transmitting device is coupled to the elongate chamber at a position relative to the longitudinal axis that ranges from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to the position of the first microwave transmitting device relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of covering a pessary device for relief of female incontinence with an overwrap. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of conforming the overwrap to the pessary device using a sealing mechanism.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for manufacturing multiple different articles are provided. One apparatus embodiment includes a first intravaginal article assembly module; a second intravaginal article assembly module; and an applicator module capable of receiving and handling applicators suitable for both first intravaginal articles from the first intravaginal article assembly module and second intravaginal articles from the second intravaginal article assembly module. The apparatus only operates with one of the first intravaginal article assembly module and the second intravaginal article assembly module at one time. The first intravaginal articles are absorbent articles and the second intravaginal articles are non-absorbent articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of assembling a withdrawal cord with an intravaginal member. In some embodiments, the withdrawal cord is affixed to an intravaginal member through the use of an anchor.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a discrete cord having a supply path comprising a fluid flow, a deployed cord supply, a transfer member having a first surface comprising one or more orifices capable of receiving the deployed cord supply, and a cutting apparatus comprising a cutting implement enabled to sever the deployed cord supply to form a discrete cord. The fluid flow directs the deployed cord supply towards the transfer member first surface. The transfer member first surface abuts the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: A method of delivering a discrete cord to a transfer member, wherein the method includes providing a supply path fluidly connected to a metered cord supply. The supply path comprises a fluid flow, a transfer member, and a cutting apparatus. The transfer member comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of orifices on the first surface. The method also comprises moving a deployed cord supply towards the transfer member through the supply path by the fluid flow. The method further comprises moving a portion of the deployed cord supply into an orifice of the transfer member and cutting the deployed cord supply to create a discrete cord comprising a first end and a second end; wherein a portion of the discrete cord is in the orifice to the transfer member.

Abstract: A method of delivering a withdrawal cord to a transfer member, wherein the method includes providing a supply path fluidly connected to a metered cord supply. The supply path comprises a pressure source, a transfer member, and a cutting apparatus. The transfer member comprises a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of orifices on the first surface. The method also comprises moving a deployed cord supply towards the transfer member through the supply path by a fluid flow generated by the pressure source. The method further comprises moving a portion of the deployed cord supply into an orifice of the transfer member, moving the deployed cord supply to an attachment system, connecting the deployed cord supply to a substrate, and cutting the deployed cord supply to create a withdrawal cord comprising a first end and a second end; wherein a portion of the withdrawal cord is in the orifice to the transfer member.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a discrete cord having a supply path comprising a fluid flow, a deployed cord supply, a transfer member having a first surface comprising one or more orifices capable of receiving the deployed cord supply, and a cutting apparatus comprising a cutting implement enabled to sever the deployed cord supply to form a discrete cord. The fluid flow directs the deployed cord supply towards the transfer member first surface. The transfer member first surface abuts the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a field of microwave energy for the processing of a material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first microwave transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber at a first position, and a second microwave transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber at a second position. The first microwave transmitting device is oriented so that a first portion of the microwave energy is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The second microwave transmitting device is disposed so that a second portion of the microwave energy is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The second microwave transmitting device is coupled to the elongate chamber at a position relative to the longitudinal axis that ranges from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to the position of the first microwave transmitting device relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a discrete cord having a fluid flow, a deployed cord supply, a transfer member having a first surface having one or more apertures, and a cutting apparatus having a cutting implement enabled to sever the deployed cord supply to form a discrete cord. The transfer houses a carrier that is aligned with the aperture and enabled to cross the aperture path. The fluid flow directs the deployed cord supply towards the transfer member first surface. The transfer member first surface abuts the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering a discrete cord having a supply path comprising a fluid flow, a deployed cord supply, a transfer member having a first surface comprising one or more orifices capable of receiving the deployed cord supply, and a cutting apparatus comprising a cutting implement enabled to sever the deployed cord supply to form a discrete cord. The fluid flow directs the deployed cord supply towards the transfer member first surface. The transfer member first surface abuts the cutting apparatus.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of covering a pessary device for relief of female incontinence with an overwrap. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of conforming the overwrap to the pessary device using a sealing mechanism.

Abstract: This application relates to a method of covering a pessary device for relief of female incontinence with an overwrap. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods of conforming the overwrap to the pessary device using a profile seal.