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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member, an inner member which is slidable within the outer member, and a tampon which is housed within the tampon applicator. The inner member has an effective length of less than about 58 mm.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member, an inner member, a tampon, and a tampon positioning member. The outer member is disposed co-axially with the inner member for insertion of the tampon into the vaginal cavity. The inner member includes a first end, a second end, and an interior surface. The inner member is slidable within the outer member. The tampon is at least partially housed within the inner member. The tampon positioning member is positioned within the inner member. The tampon positioning member includes a tampon pushing surface positioned between the first end and the second end of the inner member.

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 hemorrhoid treatment pad, the hemorrhoid treatment pad having a substance on a body facing surface thereof, the substance comprising a skin care composition. The skin care composition can have from about 0.001% to about 0.1% by weight of hexamidine; from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of zinc oxide; from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of niacinamide; and a carrier.

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.