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 press for shaping an absorbent tampon blank into a shaped tampon pledget includes a central cavity arranged and configured to accommodate an absorbent tampon blank having a front portion and a back portion. The main longitudinal axis of the press passes in the middle of the central cavity and a plurality of penetrating dies are arranged radially around the said main longitudinal axis. Each penetrating die has a pressing face on at least a fragment of its side facing the central cavity. The said press comprises at least one cam to actuate the plurality of penetrating dies. Furthermore, the plurality of penetrating dies comprises at least one penetrating die having a pressing face with a first shaped longitudinal profile, and least one penetrating die having a pressing face with a second shaped longitudinal profile.

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.

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.

An absorbent tampon is disclosed herein. The absorbent tampon has a fiber integrated primary absorbent member having an insertion end and a withdrawal end disposed opposite the insertion end, a top portion and a bottom portion as determined by the Secondary Desorption Performance method, and a secondary absorbent member attached to the primary absorbent member and extending outboard of the withdrawal end of the primary absorbent member. The tampon exhibits a wet weight percentage fluid in the bottom portion of at least about 60 percent when measured in accordance with the Secondary Desorption Performance method.

An absorbent tampon is disclosed herein. The absorbent tampon has a fiber integrated primary absorbent member having an insertion end and a withdrawal end disposed opposite the insertion end, a top portion and a bottom portion as determined by the Secondary Desorption Performance method, and a secondary absorbent member attached to the primary absorbent member and extending outboard of the withdrawal end of the primary absorbent member. The tampon exhibits a wet weight percentage fluid in the bottom portion of at least about 60 percent when measured in accordance with the Secondary Desorption Performance method.

A press for shaping an absorbent tampon blank into a shaped tampon pledget includes a central cavity arranged and configured to accommodate an absorbent tampon blank having a front portion and a back portion. The main longitudinal axis of the press passes in the middle of the central cavity and a plurality of penetrating dies are arranged radially around the said main longitudinal axis. Each penetrating die has a pressing face on at least a fragment of its side facing the central cavity. The said press comprises at least one cam to actuate the plurality of penetrating dies. Furthermore, the plurality of penetrating dies comprises at least one penetrating die having a pressing face with a first shaped longitudinal profile, and least one penetrating die having a pressing face with a second shaped longitudinal profile.

Tampons including an elongate body and a removal string extending from a removal end of the elongate body. The tampons may include an absorbent material and a spiral flow path that directs menses across the elongate body. The spiral flow path includes at least one complete turn around the longitudinal axis of the elongate body.