Abstract: An applicator for a feminine hygiene product is provided. The applicator includes a barrel portion, a grip portion, and a plunger. The barrel portion can be rotatably connected to the grip portion, wherein the barrel portion is adapted to rotate relative to the grip portion.

Abstract: A tampon having an improved aspect ratio is provided. The tampon includes a self-sustaining, fluid-expanding, compressed absorbent pledget having one or more absorbent materials. The tampon has a width, a thickness, and a length. The width can be greater than the thickness and an aspect ratio of the width to the thickness can be from greater than about 1.4:1 to less than about 2.0:1. Also provided is a method of positioning a tampon within a vagina of a woman.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon comprises a compressed absorbent member having an inner region and an exterior surface, the compressed absorbent member comprising an absorbent material. An overwrap substantially covers the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member. The overwrap comprises an apertured fluid pervious material that is hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic relative to the compressed absorbent member. The fluid pervious overwrap therefore tends to remain free of fluid as the fluid is preferentially partitioned into the absorbent member.

Abstract: An applicator for inserting an object into a cavity. The applicator can have a hollow insertion member. The applicator can further have an indicator member circumscribing or partially circumscribing the periphery of the insertion member. The indicator member can have a first position and a second position.

Abstract: An applicator for inserting an object into a cavity. The applicator can have a hollow insertion member. The applicator can further have an indicator member circumscribing or partially circumscribing the periphery of the insertion member. The indicator member can have a first position and a second position.

Abstract: Tampons comprising an asymmetric insertion end are provided. The tampon can comprise a substantially symmetrical absorbent mass having an insertion end and a withdrawal end, wherein the insertion end is asymmetric around an X axis of the tampon. A method of improving placement of a tampon in a vagina of a female is also provided.

Abstract: Tampons including an asymmetric insertion end and a finger pocket are provided. The tampon can include an absorbent mass having an insertion end and a withdrawal end, wherein the insertion end is asymmetric around an X axis of the tampon. The withdrawal end can include a finger pocket.

Abstract: An improved absorbent tampon is disclosed which comprises a high surface energy outer surface that is more desirable to menses than the surface of vaginal tissue during menstruation. Thus, the surface energy of the outer surface of the tampon is greater than the surface energy of the vaginal cavity surface during menstruation. This makes the outer surface of the tampon of the present invention more desirable in a sense to the menses than the vaginal cavity surface, therefore reducing the occurrence of bypass leakage. This is accomplished without relying on body pressure and capillary absorption both of which have limited effectiveness and can cause negative comfort issues with the wearer.

Abstract: An improved absorbent tampon is disclosed which comprises a high surface energy outer surface that is more desirable to menses than the surface of vaginal tissue during menstruation. Thus, the surface energy of the outer surface of the tampon is greater than the surface energy of the vaginal cavity surface during menstruation. This makes the outer surface of the tampon of the present invention more desirable in a sense to the menses than the vaginal cavity surface, therefore reducing the occurrence of bypass leakage. This is accomplished without relying on body pressure and capillary absorption both of which have limited effectiveness and can cause negative comfort issues with the wearer.

Abstract: An improved absorbent catamenial tampon is disclosed comprising an overwrap with both a masking region and a wicking region. The compressed absorbent member of the tampon has an inner region, an exterior surface, and an insertion end opposed to a withdrawal end. The overwrap comprises a masking region and a wicking region. The wicking region of the overwrap covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member proximal to the withdrawal end of the compressed absorbent member. The masking region surrounds at least a portion of the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member proximal to the insertion end of the compressed absorbent member.

Abstract: An improved absorbent catamenial tampon is disclosed comprising an overwrap with both a masking region and a wicking region. The compressed absorbent member of the tampon has an inner region, an exterior surface, and an insertion end opposed to a withdrawal end. The overwrap comprises a masking region and a wicking region. The wicking region of the overwrap covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member proximal to the withdrawal end of the compressed absorbent member. The masking region surrounds at least a portion of the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member proximal to the insertion end of the compressed absorbent member.

Abstract: An improved absorbent catamenial tampon having increased leakage protection and ability to readily absorb fluid while not aggressively adhering to tissue. This is accomplished with a tampon comprising a compressed absorbent member comprising an absorbent material. The compressed absorbent member of the tampon has an inner region and an exterior surface. The fluid wicking overwrap substantially covers the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member, substantially permeates the inner region of the compressed absorbent member and extends beyond the withdrawal end to form a skirt portion. A method of making a tampon of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon comprises a compressed absorbent member having an inner region and an exterior surface, the compressed absorbent member comprising an absorbent material. An overwrap substantially covers the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member. The overwrap comprises an apertured fluid pervious material that is hydrophobic or rendered hydrophobic relative to the compressed absorbent member. The fluid pervious overwrap therefore tends to remain free of fluid as the fluid is preferentially partitioned into the absorbent member.

Abstract: An improved absorbent catamenial tampon is disclosed comprising an overwrap with both a masking region and a wicking region. The compressed absorbent member of the tampon has an inner region, an exterior surface, and an insertion end opposed to a withdrawal end. The overwrap comprises a masking region and a wicking region. The wicking region of the overwrap covers at least a portion of the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member proximal to the withdrawal end of the compressed absorbent member. The masking region surrounds at least a portion of the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member proximal to the insertion end of the compressed absorbent member.

Abstract: An improved absorbent catamenial tampon having increased leakage protection and ability to readily absorb fluid while not aggressively adhering to tissue. This is accomplished with a tampon comprising a compressed absorbent member comprising an absorbent material. The compressed absorbent member of the tampon has an inner region and an exterior surface. The fluid wicking overwrap substantially covers the exterior surface of the compressed absorbent member, substantially permeates the inner region of the compressed absorbent member and extends beyond the withdrawal end to form a skirt portion. A method of making a tampon of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: An absorbent structure comprising a lower acquisition component having an original dimension and positioned to receive body exudates, and a storage component interposed between the wearer and the lower acquisition component which has a recovery from wet compression and an ability to recover from wet compression. The lower acquisition component can also vertically wick body exudates. The components work together to partition exudates from the lower acquisition component. Also, the lower acquisition component can have a resistance to compression deflection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article and preferably a diaper or incontinent device having perfume zones disposed on the backsheet outer surface or on a backing member attached to the backsheet outer surface. The perfume zones generally comprise a binder having release agents of one or more types dispersed therethrough. Additionally, the perfume zones contain pull-strips attached to the binder which, when detached from the binder, will cause perfume to be released from the release agents either by shearing of the agents or diffusion as a result of uncovering the binder. The perfume provides the functions of either masking and/or absorbing malodors and are released via fragrance burst, and/or diffusion over time. Furthermore, perfume is released either at attachment of the article about a wearer, at removal of the article from about a wearer and/or during sustained wear of the article about a wearer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an absorbent article and preferably a diaper or incontinent device having perfume-filled release agents, preferably being perfume-filled microcapsules, disposed on the diaper fastening system. The encapsulated agents and/or odor masking agents are released subsequent to the removal of the article from about the wearer, i.e., as the fastening system is disconnected, the microcapsules burst, thereby releasing the agents to the air containing the malodor constituents.

Abstract: Absorbent articles are provided having a bolstering waist feature. In its preferred embodiment, the bolstering waist feature expands upon exposure to aqueous body liquids effectively tightening the diaper by stretching of the waist regions of the absorbent article. There is a resulting increase in the contractive forces in the band of lateral tension in the waist regions of the absorbent article with a corresponding reduction in the risk of waist leakage. The bolstering waist feature further provides a member resisting longitudinal bending in the waist regions of the absorbent article, particularly adjacent to a wearer's belly. This member can also act as a "strut" resisting the forces, such as those due to gravity, which tend to cause an absorbent article to slide downward.