An absorptive anal hygiene apparatus for anal hygiene includes a sponge body having a body top side, a body bottom side, a body front side, a body back side, a body left side, and a body right side. The body bottom side is larger than the body top side. The sponge body is an absorptive material configured to be inserted within a user's buttocks adjacent the anus to prevent transfer of fecal matter from the user's anus to a user's clothing. A tab is coupled to the body top side of the sponge body. An extraction string is coupled to the tab. The extraction string is pullable to remove the sponge body from the user's buttocks.

A tampon including a body having a longitudinal axis, a front end, a rear end and an outer surface. The body including a liquid-absorbing material operable to absorb and/or retain bodily fluid. A bore extending through the body along the longitudinal axis from the front end to the rear end, said bore defining an inner surface. The tampon also including a liquid-impermeable layer, which includes a liquid-impermeable elastic material and a liquid-permeable layer. The liquid-absorbing material is a fluid. One of the liquid-impermeable layer or the liquid-permeable layer is on at least a portion of the outer surface of the body of the tampon. The other of the liquid-impermeable layer or the liquid-permeable layer is on at least a portion of the inner surface of the body. In use, the liquid-impermeable layer and the liquid-permeable layers are operable to move between a first configuration and a second configuration.

A tampon including a body having a longitudinal axis, a front end, a rear end and an outer surface. The body including a liquid-absorbing material operable to absorb and/or retain bodily fluid. A bore extending through the body along the longitudinal axis from the front end to the rear end, said bore defining an inner surface. The tampon also including a liquid-impermeable layer, which includes a liquid-impermeable elastic material and a liquid-permeable layer. The liquid-absorbing material is a fluid. One of the liquid-impermeable layer or the liquid-permeable layer is on at least a portion of the outer surface of the body of the tampon. The other of the liquid-impermeable layer or the liquid-permeable layer is on at least a portion of the inner surface of the body. In use, the liquid-impermeable layer and the liquid-permeable layers are operable to move between a first configuration and a second configuration.

In the manufacture of a tampon, an absorbent structure composed of an absorbent material can be formed into a tampon blank. In various embodiments, a withdrawal element can be attached to the absorbent structure either before or after the absorbent structure is formed into a tampon blank. The tampon blank can then undergo a compression step which can result in the pledget of the tampon. The pledget, and resultant tampon, can have at least one linear channel and at least one non-linear channel.

In the manufacture of a tampon, an absorbent structure composed of an absorbent material can be formed into a tampon blank. In various embodiments, a withdrawal element can be attached to the absorbent structure either before or after the absorbent structure is formed into a tampon blank. The tampon blank can then undergo a compression step which can result in the pledget of the tampon. The pledget, and resultant tampon, can have at least one linear channel and at least one non-linear channel.

A disposable device for absorbing urine and/or bodily fluids in the urethra having a cylindrical body having a top and bottom end. The body is made of absorbent material that expands upon contact with urine and bodily fluids and includes a string connected to the bottom end of the body for removing the device from the urethra. The device can include a vasodilator in or on a surface of the body and can be used to treat urinary incontinence and/or erectile dysfunction by inserting into the urethra and removing the device after it has been impregnated with fluid. The device can be included in a kit with a plunger for insertion.

An endurance athlete's tampon that eliminates a traditional string and is simpler to manufacture includes a sheet of absorbent material with a bottom edge at whose midpoint there is a downward extending tab, and wherein this tampon is formed by folding it about its lateral centerline that extends upward from the tab so that the sheet's proximal and distal edges are placed proximate one another. This folded sheet is then rolled such that its lateral centerline and tab are at the center of the rolled sheet and its proximal and distal edges are on the outer surface of the rolled sheet. This tab is configured to enable it to be used to remove the tampon after it has been placed in service.

An endurance athlete's tampon that eliminates a traditional string and is simpler to manufacture includes a sheet of absorbent material with a bottom edge at whose midpoint there is a downward extending tab, and wherein this tampon is formed by folding it about its lateral centerline that extends upward from the tab so that the sheet's proximal and distal edges are placed proximate one another. This folded sheet is then rolled such that its lateral centerline and tab are at the center of the rolled sheet and its proximal and distal edges are on the outer surface of the rolled sheet. This tab is configured to enable it to be used to remove the tampon after it has been placed in service.

A system and method for tearing off and rolling up a strip of absorbent fiber sheet for a tampon are discussed. An endless absorbent fiber sheet is propagated with a first linear speed by a first pair of rolls, and with at least the first linear speed by a second pair of rolls. A pulling means is provided to induce a second linear speed in the sheet larger than the first linear speed for tearing off a strip from the sheet. The first pair of rolls is configured to maintain the first linear speed of the absorbent fiber sheet, while the second pair of rolls is configured to rotate in a freewheel-type manner when the absorbent fiber sheet is pulled through the second pair of rolls at linear speeds larger than the first linear speed. Preferably, the pulling means is a rotatable clamping means for rolling up the strip.

A system and method for tearing off and rolling up a strip of absorbent fiber sheet for a tampon are discussed. An endless absorbent fiber sheet is propagated with a first linear speed by a first pair of rolls, and with at least the first linear speed by a second pair of rolls. A pulling means is provided to induce a second linear speed in the sheet larger than the first linear speed for tearing off a strip from the sheet. The first pair of rolls is configured to maintain the first linear speed of the absorbent fiber sheet, while the second pair of rolls is configured to rotate in a freewheel-type manner when the absorbent fiber sheet is pulled through the second pair of rolls at linear speeds larger than the first linear speed. Preferably, the pulling means is a rotatable clamping means for rolling up the strip.