Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090260205 | Methods of Packaging Intravaginal Device - A method of folding a plurality of flexible elements about a central fluid storage element includes of urging an intravaginal device into a folding device; imparting relative rotation between at least a portion of the folding device and the intravaginal device; and contacting the plurality of flexible extensions with the folding device. Wherein the intravaginal device includes a fluid storage element and a plurality of flexible extensions extending therefrom, and the flexible extensions are folded about the fluid storage element in a uniform direction. Alternatively, in place of relative rotation, the flexible extensions are folded by means of guide rails of the folding device. Several apparatus may be employed in this and related methods. | 10-22-2009 |
20100069866 | Intravaginal Device with Fluid Transport Plates And Methods of Making - An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. The invention also includes methods and apparatus useful in the production of an intravaginal device. | 03-18-2010 |
20100168645 | INTRAVAGINAL DEVICE WITH FLUID TRANSPORT PLATES - An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. | 07-01-2010 |
20100192339 | INTRAVAGINAL DEVICE WITH FLUID TRANSPORT PLATES - An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate and a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194110 | KNOTTER - Apparatus for knotting at least one string of material has a fixed knotter plate, a primary knotter plate, a secondary knotter plate, means to apply tension to the string, and means for threading the string through the knotter plates. | 08-05-2010 |
20120103529 | INTRAVAGINAL DEVICE WITH FLUID TRANSPORT PLATES AND METHODS OF MAKING - Apparatus for producing an intravaginal device includes a forming tool having an aperture, a male tool having a plurality of forming blades arranged radially about an aperture, at least one bonding element, and at least one moveable pushrod. The forming tool includes a holding plate having a plurality of vacuum ports, and the aperture of the forming tool is located in the forming plate. The aperture of the forming tool has a plurality of slots connected to and extending therefrom. The bonding element is moveable toward the aperture in the forming tool. The apertures are aligned along a machine axis to permit the pushrod to move a fluid storage element through each aperture, the forming blades of the male tool are aligned with the slots of the forming tool, and guide edges of the forming blades accommodate a fluid storage element aligned with the aperture of the male tool. | 05-03-2012 |
20120109094 | INTRAVAGINAL DEVICE WITH FLUID TRANSPORT PLATES AND METHODS OF MAKING - An intravaginal device has a fluid storage element and at least one fluid transport element in fluid communication with the fluid storage element. The at least one fluid transport element has a first plate a second plate coupled to the first plate. The second plate is capable of separating from the first plate sufficiently to provide inter-plate capillary action. The at least one fluid transport element is bendable about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fluid storage element. The fluid transport element may substantially envelop the fluid storage element, and it may be attached to the withdrawal end of the fluid storage element, on at least one longitudinal side of the fluid storage element, to itself proximate the withdrawal end of the fluid storage element, and/or to the withdrawal string. | 05-03-2012 |
20130165308 | METHODS OF PACKAGING INTRAVAGINAL DEVICES - A method of folding a plurality of flexible elements about a central fluid storage element includes of urging an intravaginal device into a folding device; imparting relative rotation between at least a portion of the folding device and the intravaginal device; and contacting the plurality of flexible extensions with the folding device. Wherein the intravaginal device includes a fluid storage element and a plurality of flexible extensions extending therefrom, and the flexible extensions are folded about the fluid storage element in a uniform direction. Alternatively, in place of relative rotation, the flexible extensions are folded by means of guide rails of the folding device. Several apparatus may be employed in this and related methods. | 06-27-2013 |
20130165309 | METHODS OF PACKAGING INTRAVAGINAL DEVICES - A method of folding a plurality of flexible elements about a central fluid storage element includes of urging an intravaginal device into a folding device; imparting relative rotation between at least a portion of the folding device and the intravaginal device; and contacting the plurality of flexible extensions with the folding device. Wherein the intravaginal device includes a fluid storage element and a plurality of flexible extensions extending therefrom, and the flexible extensions are folded about the fluid storage element in a uniform direction. Alternatively, in place of relative rotation, the flexible extensions are folded by means of guide rails of the folding device. Several apparatus may be employed in this and related methods. | 06-27-2013 |
20140088539 | TAMPON WITH PENETRATING GROOVE SEGMENTS - The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene. In particular, it relates to methods for producing such a tampon having relatively deep, penetrating grooves in which adjacent penetrating jaws pass through the same tampon press space during manufacture and to an apparatus useful in making such a tampon as well as the tampons made therewith. | 03-27-2014 |
20140088540 | TAMPON WITH EXTENDED GROOVE FORMS - The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene includes a generally cylindrical absorbent pledget and a withdrawal element operatively connected to the generally cylindrical pledget proximate to the withdrawal end thereof. The absorbent pledget includes a mass of fibers compressed into a self sustaining shape and a sheet-like fluid-permeable cover substantially enclosing the mass of fibers. The absorbent pledget has formed thereon or therein a plurality of detached groove forms. At least two of said detached groove forms each has a length, measured along the groove, that is at least 150% of the length of the pledget; each has a major axis having a generally longitudinal orientation; and each has a turn proximate to at least one of the insertion end and the withdrawal end. | 03-27-2014 |
20140088541 | TAMPON WITH CONTINUOUS GROOVE FORMS - The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene includes a generally cylindrical absorbent pledget and a withdrawal element operatively connected to the generally cylindrical pledget proximate to the withdrawal end thereof. The absorbent pledget includes a mass of fibers compressed into a self sustaining shape and a sheet-like fluid-permeable cover substantially enclosing the mass of fibers. The absorbent pledget has formed thereon or therein at least one continuous groove form comprising a plurality of substantially longitudinal groove segments linked only to form a turn located alternatively proximate the insertion end and withdrawal end and wherein the continuous groove form extends around at least 180° about the circumference of the generally cylindrical absorbent pledget. | 03-27-2014 |