Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Alphonse DeMarco

Mark Michael Mleziva

Garry Roland Woltman

Gregory James Wideman

Austin N Pickett

Peter Shawn Lortscher

Michael G Shlepr

Donald J McMichael

John Anthony Rotella

Luis Alberto Davila

A water-dispersible injection-moldable composition includes partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein the composition has a melt flow index of 5-180. The hydrophobic polymeric component can be a colorant within an ethylene matrix or polyethylene. The composition is flushable according to Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Consumer Products (INDA and EDANA, 2006); Test FG 522.2 Tier 2&#x2014;Slosh Box Disintegration Test. The PVOH has a hydrolysis of 87% to 89%.

Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable material

A flushable tampon applicator product includes an outer tube for housing a tampon; an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, and wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition including partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyethylene glycol (PEG), a plasticizer, and a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part; and a wrapper material configured for storage under high and low moisture storage conditions, the wrapper material having a water vapor transmission rate of less than 0.05 g/100 in2/day.

Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable tampon applicator

The invention describes an apparatus and method of use for anchoring two or more body tissue layers to one another. The apparatus includes a plurality of individual anchor segments that are placeable within a body cavity. The segments may assume a first relaxed state wherein the segments are movable relative to each other and alignable along an initial longitudinal axis for initial placement of the apparatus through the body tissue layers. Once placed within the body cavity, the anchor segments are manipulated into a second rigid state with an actuator wherein the segments assume a rigid configuration at a transverse angle relative to the initial longitudinal axis.

Segmented tissue-to-tissue anchoring device and method of using the same

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Seal Harbour, Canada

Alphonse DeMarco