Abstract: A tampon applicator is provided having a barrel and/or a plunger molded from a pulp-based material. The barrel can be molded such that it includes a molded fingergrip area having a textured surface, at least one gripping structure, or any combination thereof. Petals may be molded on the pledget ejection end of the barrel. In addition, the exterior surface of the barrel is molded such that it is textured, smooth, or any combinations thereof. The molded tampon applicator exhibits superior flushability and compostability characteristics, without compromising the strength of the barrel or plunger.

Abstract: A tampon applicator barrel including a cardboard tube having a first end and a second end and at least one gripping structure defined from the cardboard tube proximate the second end is provided. The cardboard tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.020 inches, while the gripping structure has a height of up to about 0.035 inches.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is provided having a barrel and/or a plunger molded from a pulp-based material. The barrel can be molded such that it includes a molded fingergrip area having a textured surface, at least one gripping structure, or any combination thereof. Petals may be molded on the pledget ejection end of the barrel. In addition, the exterior surface of the barrel is molded such that it is textured, smooth, or any combinations thereof. The molded tampon applicator exhibits superior flushability and compostability characteristics, without compromising the strength of the barrel or plunger.

Abstract: A tampon pledget that has an inverted coverstock includes an insertion end and a removal end. At least one of the insertion end and the removal end has one or more pleats.

Abstract: A tampon applicator is provided having a barrel and/or a plunger molded from a pulp-based material. The barrel can be molded such that it includes a molded fingergrip area having a textured surface, at least one gripping structure, or any combination thereof. Petals may be molded on the pledget ejection end of the barrel. In addition, the exterior surface of the barrel is molded such that it is textured, smooth, or any combinations thereof. The molded tampon applicator exhibits superior flushability and compostability characteristics, without compromising the strength of the barrel or plunger.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tampon pledget having a shaped tip. The present invention further provides a method for forming a tampon pledget having a shaped tip. The method includes a cooling step after the formation of the shaped tip, which results in the minimization and/or prevention of deformation of the shaped pledget tip during the remainder of processing up until the end use by a consumer.

Abstract: A tampon applicator barrel including a cardboard tube having a first end and a second end and at least one gripping structure defined from the cardboard tube proximate the second end is provided. The cardboard tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.020 inches, while the gripping structure has a height of upto about 0.035 inches.

Abstract: A categorization of a particular semiconductor wafer based on void size is obtained from sigma data and T0.1% failure data that has been obtained from wafers subjected to isothermal testing. The sigma data and the T0.1% failure data for the particular wafer is compared to stored data corresponding to ranges for sigma and T0.1% data for each of a plurality of void categories, and the particular wafer is categorized based on the stored data. The T0.1% failure data is computed based on a T50% failure data and the sigma value, so that small sample sizes can be utilized to obtain the stored data.

Abstract: A substantially constant current is conducted in a first direction through an interconnect structure having a barrier layer to determine the lifetime of the structure in the first current direction. A substantially identical current is conducted in a second direction through a substantially identical interconnect structure to determine the lifetime of the structure in the second current direction. These tests are repeated for identical structures but having different barrier layer thicknesses. The results of these lifetime tests are compared to determine the barrier layer's effect on electromigration in the structure, which can be used to design the barrier layer to optimize the structure's lifetime and speed.

Abstract: A substantially constant current is conducted in a first direction through an interconnect structure having a barrier layer to determine the lifetime of the structure in the first current direction. A substantially identical current is conducted in a second direction through a substantially identical interconnect structure to determine the lifetime of the structure in the second current direction. These tests are repeated for identical structures but having different barrier layer thicknesses. The results of these lifetime tests are compared to determine the barrier layer's effect on electromigration in the structure, which can be used to design the barrier layer to optimize the structure's lifetime and speed.