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: A process and apparatus for producing a stabilized product from a pledget, including the steps of providing a pledget and a transfer member, and pushing the compressed pledget into a stabilization mold with the transfer member as the transfer member advances to a loading position. The transfer member is retracted to a stabilizing position. The compressed pledget is stabilized while the compressed pledget is maintained in compression by the transfer member and the stabilization mold to form a stabilized tampon.

Abstract: A personal health care article. More particularly, a personal health care article comprising at least one porous disintegratable solid substrate comprising: from about 1% to about 70%, by weight of said substrate, of a surfactant, from about 10% to about 70%, by weight of said substrate, of one or more polymers, from about 0.025% to about 85%, by weight of said substrate, of one or more health care actives, optionally a plasticizer, and optionally an aesthetic agent wherein said article is ingestible. The invention also comprises a process for making a personal health care article.

Abstract: A method of delivering a health care active having the steps of administering to a mammal in need of a health benefit or a treatment for a health condition a personal health care article and consuming the article. The article contains one or more filaments that contain a backbone material, a health care active and optionally aesthetic agents, extensional aids, plasticizers, and crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Filaments containing a filament-forming material and an additive, such as an ingestible active agent, nonwoven webs, and methods for making such filaments are provided.

Abstract: A method for making a tampon including providing a tampon pledget, and providing a compression/stabilization mold. The method includes moving the tampon pledget into the compression/stabilization mold via a transfer member, wherein the compression/stabilization mold is in an open position, and laterally compressing the tampon pledget in the compression/stabilization mold by closing the compression/stabilization mold to form a stabilized tampon. An apparatus for making a tampon and a tampon made by the method are 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: A modeling method for a fibrous material to be made into a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes analyzing processes and conditions under which the fibrous material is made into the product, determining that moisture, temperature and rate conditions should be tested according to the analysis of the processes and conditions, and testing the fibrous material under at least one of moisture, thermal or rate conditions similar to those under which the fibrous material is made into the product to obtain test results. The modeling method further includes defining a constitutive model for the fibrous material according to the test results. A computing device may be programmed to perform simulations using the model.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a stabilized product from a pledget, including the steps of providing a pledget, a transfer member having an expandable portion, and a stabilization mold having an interior surface defining an interior cavity. The pledget is pushed into the mold by the transfer member so that the expandable portion is within the interior cavity of the mold. The pledget is compressed in the mold by the transfer member to form a compressed pledget. The expandable portion of the transfer member is expanded to form a seal with the interior surface of said mold. The compressed pledget is stabilized to form a stabilized product, while the compressed pledget is maintained in compression and the expandable portion of the transfer member remains expanded.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a stabilized tampon from a tampon pledget. The method includes the steps of providing a tampon pledget; providing a compression mold having disposed therein a plurality of fluid communication passages; moving the tampon pledget into the compression mold, the compression mold being in an open position; applying a force delivery means through the fluid communication passages to deform the tampon pledget into a pre-folded shape; and compressing the pledget in the compression mold by closing the compression mold into a closed position to form a folded, compressed tampon.

Abstract: A rotary method for forming a vaginal applicator. The method includes the steps of providing a forming mandrel, an applicator tube, and die then arranging the forming mandrel to be inside the applicator tube and then engaging the forming mandrel and the applicator tube with the die. The forming mandrel has a first sustaining ridge having a circumferential length and a second sustaining ridge having a circumferential length. The circumferential length of the first sustaining ridge is less than the circumferential length of the second sustaining ridge.

Abstract: A modeling method for predictive modeling of a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes receiving one of a processing condition of a process used to make a fibrous material into the product or a measurement of a property of the fibrous material or the tampon product, and calculating a virtual outcome from the one of the processing condition or the measurement received. The virtual outcome is one or more of not physically measured or not physically measurable, and has a relationship to the processing condition and a relationship to the measurement. The method also includes providing a measurement if the processing condition is received or a processing condition if the measurement is received, according to the virtual outcome calculated. A computing device may be programmed to carry out the method.

Abstract: A biodegradable applicator for a feminine hygiene product. The applicator has an outer member having an insertion end, a withdrawal end and a viewing surface. The viewing surface can have a delta hue greater than about three degrees at a reflectance angle less than about 25 degrees, a flop index greater than about 5, and/or a luminosity greater than about 1600.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene package. The feminine hygiene package may include a feminine hygiene product and a package enclosing the feminine hygiene product. The feminine hygiene product and/or package may include a pseudomotive thereon.

Abstract: A rotary method for forming a vaginal applicator. The method includes the steps of providing a forming mandrel, an applicator tube, and die then arranging the forming mandrel to be inside the applicator tube and then engaging the forming mandrel and the applicator tube with the die. The forming mandrel has a first sustaining ridge having a circumferential length and a second sustaining ridge having a circumferential length. The circumferential length of the first sustaining ridge is less than the circumferential length of the second sustaining ridge.

Abstract: A method for making a tampon including providing a tampon pledget, and providing a compression/stabilization mold. The method includes moving the tampon pledget into the compression/stabilization mold via a transfer member, wherein the compression/stabilization mold is in an open position, and laterally compressing the tampon pledget in the compression/stabilization mold by closing the compression/stabilization mold to form a stabilized tampon. An apparatus for making a tampon and a tampon made by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing compressed, gas-stabilized tampons are disclosed. The gas-stabilized tampons include tampons having preferably multiple folds for improved leakage protection and comfort through improved expansion characteristics. The number of folds can vary from 3 to 20 and greater. The process includes the step of forcing a gas through the compressed tampon. The gas can include steam.

Abstract: A tampon comprising a pledget of absorbent material has a patterned impression in at least one end comprising one or more design elements. A method for making a tampon comprises compressing at least one end of a compressed pledget to form a patterned impression in the at least one end comprising one or more design elements is also provided. An apparatus for making a tampon with patterned impression in at least one end of a tampon 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: A modeling method for predictive modeling of a product, which may be but one example of a family of such modeling methods, includes receiving one of a processing condition of a process used to make a fibrous material into the product or a measurement of a property of the fibrous material or the tampon product, and calculating a virtual outcome from the one of the processing condition or the measurement received. The virtual outcome is one or more of not physically measured or not physically measurable, and has a relationship to the processing condition and a relationship to the measurement. The method also includes providing a measurement if the processing condition is received or a processing condition if the measurement is received, according to the virtual outcome calculated. A computing device may be programmed to carry out the method.