A tampon product including an applicator with a hollow barrel portion and an ejection plunger within the barrel portion, is disclosed. One or both of the barrel portion and the ejection plunger may have a cylindrical form and be formed of a paper, and have a coating applied to the paper, wherein the coating is not predominately constituted by a material derived from petroleum. The coated paper barrel portion and/or ejection plunger may be manufactured to as to exhibit a static Relative Sliding Resistance Coefficient (CSR) no greater than 0.250 and/or a kinetic CSR no greater than 0.210, for purposes of smooth manufacturing. In combination or alternatively, the coated paper barrel portion and/or ejection plunger may be manufactured to as to exhibit a static Gripping Slip Resistance Coefficient (CGSR) no less than 0.190 and/or a kinetic CGSR no less than 0.170, for purposes of consumer satisfaction.

A tampon product including a tampon within an applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a barrel portion joined to a gripping portion, imparted with features that improve utility and convenience for the user. In one example the gripping portion has a rearward edge defining differing first and second lengths. In another example the gripping portion has a lateral outer cross section profile that is substantially oval-shaped, ovoid-shaped, elliptical or stadium-shaped and has major and minor axes, each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, along first and second lateral perpendicular directions, wherein following absorption of fluid the tampon will expand laterally to a first lateral dimension to a greatest extent along a first lateral direction, and to a lesser second lateral dimension along a second lateral direction 90 degrees from the first lateral direction, wherein the first lateral direction is substantially parallel to one of the major and minor axes.

A device for joining multi-part tampon applicators, in particular three-part tampon applicators, which include at least one outer cylinder and a first inner cylinder, includes at least one joining station with at least one receiving finger for receiving one outer cylinder and one first inner cylinder each, as well as a first inner cylinder supply for loading the at least one receiving finger with at least one first inner cylinder and an outer cylinder supply for loading the at least one receiving finger with at least one outer cylinder. The device further includes a processing station for joining the at least one outer cylinder to the at least one first inner cylinder, and the at least one joining station is arranged radially on a circular disk, in particular so that the at least one receiving finger is oriented essentially radially. A method joins multi-part, in particular three-part, tampon applicators.

A forming tool for agglomerating thereon fibers from a slurry, the tool having a first end, a second end, a longitudinal axis, a forming surface and a non-forming surface, wherein the forming surface is perforated with a pattern of fluid passage ports extending from the forming surface to the non-forming surface; wherein the pattern of fluid passage ports demarks a surface area of the forming surface.

A tampon product including a tampon within an applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a barrel portion joined to a gripping portion, imparted with features that improve utility and convenience for the user. In one example the gripping portion has a rearward edge defining differing first and second lengths. In another example the gripping portion has a lateral outer cross section profile that is substantially oval-shaped, ovoid-shaped, elliptical or stadium-shaped and has major and minor axes, each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, along first and second lateral perpendicular directions, wherein following absorption of fluid the tampon will expand laterally to a first lateral dimension to a greatest extent along a first lateral direction, and to a lesser second lateral dimension along a second lateral direction 90 degrees from the first lateral direction, wherein the first lateral direction is substantially parallel to one of the major and minor axes.

The present invention introduces a tampon with an integrated device designed for improved insertion, and removal, and leak prevention. The device comprises a flexible, nonpermeable wall, hollow to enable finger-assisted insertion and featuring a removal aid element attached to the bottom end of the wall for easy, hygienic extraction. Additionally, the wall is equipped with ridges that conform to the vaginal wall, enhancing the seal to prevent menstrual fluid leakage and block the absorption of external fluids. In other embodiments, a smoothed wall is offered. This invention eliminates the need for separate applicators, allows the device to compact for discrete portability, and significantly enhances user comfort and effectiveness in fluid management.

A method is presented for forming a tampon applicator. The method includes providing an applicator comprising an outer member and an inner member. Each of the outer member and the inner member comprise cellulosic material. The method further includes loading the outer member into a compression device. The method further includes compressing the outer member to form a grip region. The grip region comprises greater than four faces that are circumferentially formed about the outer member. The method further includes unloading the outer member comprising the grip region and a barrel region from the compression device.

A method of forming a tampon applicator is presented. The method for forming the tampon applicator includes: providing a cylindrical paper segment having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface surrounding the longitudinal axis; pleating a first end region of the cylindrical paper segment to form at least two ridges and valleys extending about the longitudinal axis; inserting a mandrel into an opening of the first end region and forming the first end region; and forming a grip region in the first end region. A portion of the grip region has a gaussian curvature not equal to zero. The grip region includes at least one face.

A tampon product is presented that includes an applicator including an outer member and an inner member slidably engaged with the outer member. The outer member includes an outer surface surrounding a longitudinal applicator axis, a barrel region, and a grip region. The grip region comprises greater than four circumferentially formed faces. One or more layers defining the applicator include cellulosic material.

A tampon product and method are presented that includes an applicator including an outer member and an inner member slidably engaged with the outer member. The outer member includes an outer surface surrounding a longitudinal axis and a grip region, an intermediate region, and an insertion region. The grip region includes an inverted region such that a portion of a wall of the grip end region is adjacent to the inner surface of the cylindrical paper segment, and a pusher opening internal to the cylindrical paper segment.