The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for making tampons including primary and secondary absorbent members. During assembly, primary absorbent members, a continuous length of secondary absorbent members, and a continuous cord are advanced in a machine direction. Leading edges of the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance. Discrete secondary absorbent members are cut from the continuous length of secondary absorbent members. Leading edges of the discrete secondary absorbent members are also separated from each other in the machine direction by the pitch distance. The continuous cord is positioned on a first surface of the secondary absorbent members. And a second surface of a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with and in a facing relationship with a primary absorbent member. A thread is sewn through the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Hemp-based absorbent articles are disclosed. The absorbent article can be a tampon or pad for feminine hygiene. The absorbent article can be flushable or compostable. In one example, the absorbent article is a flushable tampon for feminine hygiene having a nonwoven material comprising hemp with a hemp fiber length in a range of about 8 mm to about 15 mm. The nonwoven material can include an absorbent ribbon, a string, and an overwrap.

A tampon comprising an absorbent pledget and a withdrawal cord attached to the pledget is disclosed. The withdrawal cord may be constituted predominantly (by weight) of natural plant fiber such as cotton, and comprise no more than 5 percent by weight material derived from petroleum, while exhibiting limiting wicking capability. A method for manufacturing tampons with withdrawal cords including cotton fiber is disclosed, including a scouring step in which the scouring solution is of relatively lower pH than is conventional for scouring cotton, is disclosed.

A tubular shaped tampon can include an absorbent body defining a cylindrical shape having a hollow interior, a porous protective sleeve surrounding the absorbent body, and a string that holds the protective sleeve in place against the absorbent body and facilitates removal of the tampon after use. The absorbent body and protective sleeve can combine to define an overall tubular structure having an inner hollow region, providing increased surface area. Methods of manufacturing the tampon can include cutting a fluid absorbent material, rolling the cut material around elongated machine prongs to form an absorbent body, rolling a porous sheet around and extending beyond both distal ends of the absorbent body, pinching together distal ends of the porous sheet, pushing at least one distal end through the hollow interior of the absorbent body, stitching the distal ends of the porous sheet together, and punching a string through the protective sleeve and absorbent body.

A tampon and delivery system for a pharmaceutical, holistic or medicinal component, includes: (1) a tampon having a generally cylindrical shape including a leading end and a cylindrical outer surface; (2) an outer delivery sheath applied to at least a portion of the cylindrical outer surface of the tampon, distal from the leading end (and preferably leaving the leading end exposed), where the outer delivery sheath comprises a formulation including (a) a water soluble polymer film carrier and (b) a pharmaceutical, holistic or medicinal component; and (3) an applicator containing the tampon and applied delivery sheath. Methods for preparation of the delivery system and methods of use are also disclosed.

The present invention describes methods and product for protection against microbial colonization associated with the use of hygienic products, such as diapers, bandages, sanitary napkins, tampons, gowns, facemasks, table covers, and the like, through significantly minimizing, inhibiting, or preventing microbial colonization in the hygienic product material. The present invention provides for using a hygienic product containing at least one inner layer of its composition that is integrated with an effective amount of natural, viable, non-pathogenic, antimicrobial, Terpinen-4-ol, for inhibiting the growth and multiplication of microorganisms. The method used for integrating the natural antimicrobial product, the Terpinen-4-ol, to the selected sanitary product layer utilizes, amongst others, a nanotechnology process.

An improved apparatus for forming tampon blanks for further processing into compressed, self-sustaining tampons, permits increased speed and accuracy of the process step. The apparatus includes a sliver guide; a gripper capable of reciprocating motion and arranged and configured to cooperate with the sliver 5 guide to grasp an end of a sliver maintained therein; a winding mandrel; a plurality of winding cups; and e) a string application and knotter apparatus comprising a circular ring bearing having a string conveyor mounted thereon. The circular ring bearing of the string application and knotter apparatus defines a plane perpendicular to the sliver guide and motion of the gripper and parallel to the 10 winding axis of the winding mandrel.

A doming tool for manufacturing absorbent tampon includes a plurality of stations made of devices for shaping a tampon pledget tip, and a hollow mandrel engaging with the stations. The stations are supported by at least one mounting plate.

The present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for making tampons including primary and secondary absorbent members. During assembly, primary absorbent members, a continuous length of secondary absorbent members, and a continuous cord are advanced in a machine direction. Leading edges of the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance. Discrete secondary absorbent members are cut from the continuous length of secondary absorbent members. Leading edges of the discrete secondary absorbent members are also separated from each other in the machine direction by the pitch distance. The continuous cord is positioned on the secondary absorbent members. And a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with a primary absorbent member. A thread is combined with the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

The present disclosure describes a tampon article, a composite fibrous web, and a method of making same. Such an article includes an outer carrier component including an inner surface that defines an internal void. Including an absorbent component elongate along an axis and is disposed in the internal void. The absorbent component includes an outer surface that extends about the axis and faces the inner surface. The absorbent component further includes a composite fibrous web of staple cellulosic fibers and a meltspun web of filaments entangled with the web of staple cellulosic fibers. The composite fibrous web can be in a compressed configuration in the internal void such that at least portion of the outer surface of the absorbent component is defined by the meltspun web of filaments. The tampon can include a withdrawal cord coupled to the absorbent component.