Abstract: An absorbent pad having a periphery and useful as a feminine hygiene article. The pad comprises a body-contacting surface comprising fibers from a first web of fibrous material, an absorbent portion comprising fibers from a second web of fibrous material, and a bottom surface comprising fibers from the first web of fibrous material. The absorbent portion is disposed intermediate the body-contacting surface and the bottom surface and extends to the periphery, the surfaces and absorbent portion being joined to one another at portions of the first web that penetrate through the absorbent portion at a plurality of discrete locations.

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: An absorbent article insertable into the interlabial space of a female wearer comprising an absorbent storage core and a body-contacting vaginal discharge receiving layer overlaying the storage core. The body-contacting vaginal discharge receiving layer is compressible and is adjustable to conform to the inner labial surface texture to fill in channels within the inner labia which transport and collect bodily discharges. The absorbent storage core and the body-contacting vaginal discharge layer are placed into communication by needle punching.

Abstract: Highly efficient absorbent articles for wearing by a human female such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and adult incontinence pads (“absorbent pads”) for use with a specially designed supporting garment, such as a menstrual pant (or panty) are disclosed. The supporting garment preferably fits so closely it resembles a comfortable “second skin”. 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 so that they do not interfere with the “second skin fit” of the supporting garment. The absorbent articles may be flat or cup-shaped. In one embodiment, the absorbent article has a surface area measured in a flat condition of less than or equal to about 12.

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: 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.

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.

Abstract: A sanitary napkin that has a three dimensionally-shaped tube of absorbent material and method of making the same is disclosed. The sanitary napkin comprises: a base pad having a body-facing side, a garment-facing side, and a longitudinal centerline. A tube of absorbent material extends outward from the body-facing side of the base pad and is aligned along the longitudinal centerline of the base pad. In one embodiment, the tube of absorbent material comprises an absorbent material and a cover at least partially wrapping the absorbent material. In this embodiment, the absorbent material is penetrated by autogenous bonds that join one portion of the cover to an opposing portion of the cover. The bonds are selectively placed to provide the tube of absorbent material with a distinct three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: An expandable bag catamenial tampon and spreading tampon applicators for such a tampon are disclosed. The catamenial tampon is in the form of a soft, conformable, hollow bag. The applicator is capable of inserting the tampon into the vaginal tract and spreading the tampon open within the vaginal cavity. The applicator has an applicator element with a leading end and a trailing end. The bag-like tampon is placed over the leading end of the applicator when the tampon is in a flaccid initial configuration which defines an initial width, and the applicator is used to spread the tampon to a greater deployed width. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises tube having an interior and a flexible material which has one end that is formed into a flexible and expandable loop. The flexible loop is slidably mounted within the tube. The flexible loop is contained inside the tube until it is desired to deploy the tampon.

Abstract: An applicator for a catamenial tampon which is capable of inserting a tampon into the vaginal tract and spreading the tampon open within the vaginal cavity is disclosed. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises tube having an interior and a flexible material which has one end that is formed into a flexible and expandable loop. The flexible loop is slidably mounted within the tube. The flexible loop is contained inside the tube until it is desired to deploy the tampon. When it is desired to deploy the tampon, the flexible loop with the tampon thereon is pushed out the expulsion end of the tube. The flexible loop expands laterally and spreads the tampon open within the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: Individual packages to assist the hygienic insertion of an absorbent device into the interlabial space of a female user are disclosed. The individual package includes a wrapper for packaging the absorbent device. The wrapper provides a flexible sheet which is wrapped around the absorbent device. The wrapper being at least partially removable from around the absorbent device wherein at least a portion of the wrapper remains between a user's hands and the absorbent device when the absorbent device is inserted into the interlabial space to prevent the user's hands from contacting the absorbent device for hygienic insertion. The wrapper is folded about the absorbent device relative to the longitudinal axis of the lower portion forming a longitudinal fold, an opposing open end, and transverse side edges. The opposing open end and transverse side edges are sealed forming the individual package.

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.