Abstract: The method uses a location device and a timing element to determine the location of a protection device at various periods of time. During these periods of time, the human may be participating in a variety of activities and positions.

Abstract: A method is provided for stabilizing a tampon. The method includes providing a pledget having a moisture content and including one or more metallic cation salts, compressing the pledget to produce a tampon, and applying microwave radiation to the tampon for a time sufficient to stabilize the tampon. The time to stabilize a tampon can be reduced by at least about 20% compared to the time to stabilize a tampon lacking one or more metallic cation salts.

Abstract: Articles comprising one or more calcium salts are provided. The articles can contain one or more calcium salts in an amount effective to reduce the production of TSST-1 by at least about 50% when measured by the Shake Flask Method. In certain embodiments, the one or more calcium salts can be substantially non-lethal to Staphylococcus aureus when measured by the Shake Flask Method, and/or to Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus gasseri, and/or Lactobacillus iners when measured by the Maximum Tolerated Dose Test.

Abstract: An absorbent article has an absorbent material and an outer surface including an inhibitor which is partially bound to the absorbent material and substantially inhibits the colonization of bacteria within the absorbent article. An absorbent article has an absorbent material. The absorbent material has an outer surface. The absorbent article includes a pre-toxin limiting agent which is partially bound to the absorbent material and substantially retards the production of bacteria-produced toxins by the bacteria residing within the absorbent article. An absorbent article has an absorbent material. The absorbent material has an outer surface. The absorbent article includes a toxin enclosing agent. The toxin enclosing agent substantially inhibits the migration of toxin outwardly from within the absorbent article towards the outer surface of the absorbent article.

Abstract: A tampon and a tampon applicator in combination for expulsion of a tampon. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, a second end positioned oppositely to the first end, a force controller, and at least one side expulsion member. The side expulsion member has a weakened region located at its base. The tampon has a body having a first end, center, and a second end; body has a joined portion; the body has a plurality of absorbent strips joined at the joined portion. The strips are selected from the group consisting of nonwoven materials, films, woven materials, absorbent foams, superabsorbent polymers, and mixtures thereof. The tampon is housed within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene product which has a tampon and a tampon applicator. The tampon applicator has a rupturable membranous cap permanently associated with a tampon holder tube. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, an outer perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, and a second end positioned oppositely to the first end. The tampon is housed in the tampon holder tube within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube and is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position. The rupturable membranous cap covers at least a portion of the tampon. During expulsion of the tampon from the tampon holder tube, the rupturable membranous cap reorients the tampon into a direction substantially non-aligned to the longitudinal axis of the tampon holder tube.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for in vitro testing of catamenial tampon-and-applicator systems are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an in vitro receptacle for accepting tampons deployed during the testing procedure. The in vitro receptacle comprises a sleeve with a tampon-deflecting zone, representing an in vivo vaginal channel with a frontal area of a cervix.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for in vitro testing of catamenial tampon-and-applicator systems are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an in vitro receptacle for accepting tampons deployed during the testing procedure. The in vitro receptacle comprises a sleeve with a tampon-deflecting zone, representing an in vivo vaginal channel with a frontal area of a cervix.

Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams. The absorbent may be flat or cup-shaped.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon in the form of a soft, conformable, hollow bag which is capable of being inserted digitally or through the use of a unique applicator. The tampon has an outer surface, an inner surface, a head portion and a trailing portion. The inner surface of the tampon defines an interior of the tampon wherein the head portion is closed and the trailing portion defines an opening into the interior of the tampon. The tampon may have a shape modulus of compression of less than 0.05 pounds force. The tampon preferably includes a removal string, which can be attached to the inside or outside surface of the tampon.

Abstract: A body-contacting surface or topsheet for absorbent articles or devices that is comfortable when it is placed in contact with hydrous body tissues is disclosed. In one non-limiting embodiment, the topsheet is a non-absorbent, moderately hydrophilic to substantially hydrophobic nonwoven web. The topsheet can have a critical surface tension of less than or equal to about 45 dynes/cm. In one embodiment, the nonwoven web has been mechanically modified so that it is extensible in an amount greater than equal to about 30% under a force of 50 grams, and undergoes a caliper change of greater than or equal to about 30% under a pressure of 1,000 Pa after being subjected to a pressure of 250 Pa. The topsheet is placed on absorbent devices such as sanitary napkins, tampons, pantiliners, interlabial devices, incontinence devices, bandages, and other types of articles.

Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads. In use, the absorbent articles preferably maintain contact with and cover at least a portion of the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia, the exterior surfaces of the wearer's labia, and the supporting garment. The absorbent articles are highly flexible, having flexure resistance of less than or equal to about 100 grams. The absorbent articles may be flat or cup-shaped.

Abstract: Absorbent devices, and more particularly absorbent devices that are worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, that have a emollient composition on their body-contacting surface are disclosed. The interlabial device has a body-contacting surface that is pre-moistened or pre-treated with an emollient to prevent drying of the wearer's labial tissue and to reduce friction of the structure against the wearer's labial tissue. The absorbent device is preferably capable of maintaining contact with the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia majora when worn. The emollient composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil, petrolatum and/or polysiloxane, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or wax to immobilize the emollient on the body-contacting surface of the device, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated surface.

Abstract: An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention includes a liquid pervious topsheet, a liquid impervious backsheet, and an absorbent core positioned between the two. The length of the device is between about 60 mm and about 130 mm. The width is between about 25 mm and 50 mm. The device has an axis of preferred bending along its longitudinal centerline. When folded along the axis and inserted into the wearer's interlabial space, the topsheet maintains contact with the walls of the wearer's labia. A method of using a system of feminine hygiene products is also disclosed. The system includes the use of an absorbent interlabial device in combination with a sanitary napkin. The absorbent interlabial device of the present invention may also be used in combination with an absorbent tampon.

Abstract: An interlabial absorbent structure is disclosed. The interlabial absorbent structure comprises a pair of absorbent panels that are sufficiently flexible such that the panels can, at least partially, conform to the walls of a wearer's interlabial space. The panels are joined by an isthmus which is positioned furthest into a wearer's interlabial space when the interlabial absorbent product is worn. Alternative embodiments of the isthmus are also described which direct bodily fluids that are deposited thereon along the longitudinal length of the interlabial absorbent structure.

Abstract: Absorbent devices, and more particularly absorbent devices that are worn interlabially by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, that have a emollient composition on their body-contacting surface are disclosed. The interlabial device has a body-contacting surface that is pre-moistened or pre-treated with an emollient to prevent drying of the wearer's labial tissue and to reduce friction of the structure against the wearer's labial tissue. The absorbent device is preferably capable of maintaining contact with the inside surfaces of the wearer's labia majora when worn. The emollient composition comprises a plastic or fluid emollient such as mineral oil, petrolatum and/or polysiloxane, an immobilizing agent such as a fatty alcohol or wax to immobilize the emollient on the body-contacting surface of the device, and optionally a hydrophilic surfactant to improve wettability of the coated surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a sanitary napkin having flaps folded over the topsheet. This arrangement helps to maintain the topsheet in a sanitary condition and is more convenient for the wearer than a configuration having the flaps folded over the backsheet. The flaps may be maintained in this folded arrangement by a unitary release strip which bridges the flaps and covers any adhesive used to attach the flaps to the undergarment. If desired, the release paper may further wrap the longitudinal side margins of the sanitary napkin to additionally cover adhesive disposed on the central portion of the backsheet. If desired, the flaps may be folded over the topsheet, overlap each other and be adhesively joined to the other flap.

Abstract: A method for the selection and use of a system of feminine hygiene products is described. The method includes an information collection step, a system selection step, and a product provision step. In the information collection step, information is collected from a consumer regarding her menstrual cycle protection needs. In the system selection step, the information collected is used to select a system of feminine hygiene products from at least two of such available systems. Each of such available systems is comprised of at least two different feminine hygiene products. In the product provision step, a kit is provided to the consumer. The kit contains in a common package the feminine hygiene products which make up the selected system.

Abstract: Individual packages for absorbent article that are flushable and water dispersible are disclosed. The flushable individual wrapper for an absorbent personal hygiene device comprises at least one of the following materials a tissue; a collagen film; a water dispersible thermoplastic film; and a nonwoven material. The individual wrapper can be made of a laminate material selected from the group consisting of: thermoplastic films and tissues; collagen films and tissues; thermoplastic films and nonwoven materials; and collagen films and thermoplastic films. In several embodiments, the absorbent article and the wrapper for the absorbent article are both flushable separately or in combination, and when flushed, the wrapper or the combination of the absorbent product and the wrapper will clear the toilet.

Abstract: A catamenial tampon in the form of a soft, conformable, hollow bag which is disclosed. The tampon is capable of being inserted digitally or through the use of a unique applicator. The tampon preferably comprises a removal string, which can be attached to the inside or outside surface of the tampon. In one embodiment, the removal string is attached to the inside surface of the tampon, adjacent to the head of the tampon to facilitate inversion of the tampon upon removal. The tampon may have a cross-section in which two of its sides are pleated, allowing the sides of the tampon to expand laterally. The tampon may be provided with a plurality of pleats disposed around its cross-section that are capable of opening in any desired direction. The outside surface of the tampon may be smooth, or it can be textured. In a textured embodiment, the tampon may have an outside surface which comprises microfibrils or other texturing elements extending outwardly therefrom.