An apparatus for applying a field of microwave energy for the processing of an absorbent article is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate chamber having a longitudinal axis and first and second circularly polarized microwave radiation transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber and oriented so that the microwave energy is transmitted from the first and second circularly polarized microwave radiation transmitting devices is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The elongate chamber has a surface distributed about the longitudinal axis, a proximal end providing ingress for the absorbent article into the elongate chamber, and a distal end providing egress of the absorbent article from the elongate chamber. The second circularly polarized microwave radiation transmitting device is coupled to the elongate chamber at a position relative to the longitudinal axis that ranges from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to the position of the first circularly polarized microwave radiation transmitting device.

An apparatus for applying a field of microwave energy for the processing of a material is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an elongate chamber having a longitudinal axis, a first microwave transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber at a first position, and a second microwave transmitting device radiatingly coupled to the elongate chamber at a second position. The first microwave transmitting device is oriented so that a first portion of the microwave energy is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The second microwave transmitting device is disposed so that a second portion of the microwave energy is directed toward the longitudinal axis. The second microwave transmitting device is coupled to the elongate chamber at a position relative to the longitudinal axis that ranges from about 30 degrees to about 150 degrees relative to the position of the first microwave transmitting device relative to the longitudinal axis.

An apparatus for compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device, and a method of compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device are described. The apparatus can have a press unit support structure rotatable about a fixed axis. An axial direction press unit is associated with the press unit support structure. Second press unit is associated with the press unit support structure wherein the second press unit is one of a non-linear direction press unit or a press unit having a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression.

An apparatus for compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device, and a method of compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device are described. The apparatus can have a first press unit support structure and a second press unit support structure, and each of the first press unit support structure and the second press unit support structure is rotatable about an axis. A first press unit has a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression associated with the first press unit support structure. A second press unit is associated with the second press unit support structure, wherein the second press unit is one of an axial direction press unit, a non-linear direction press unit, or a press unit having a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression.

An apparatus for compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device, and a method of compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device are described. The apparatus can have a first press unit support structure and a second press unit support structure, and each of the first press unit support structure and the second press unit support structure is rotatable about an axis. A first press unit has a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression associated with the first press unit support structure. A second press unit is associated with the second press unit support structure, wherein the second press unit is one of an axial direction press unit, a non-linear direction press unit, or a press unit having a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression.

An apparatus for compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device, and a method of compressing a material such as a tampon or a pessary device are described. The apparatus can have a press unit support structure rotatable about a fixed axis. An axial direction press unit is associated with the press unit support structure. Second press unit is associated with the press unit support structure wherein the second press unit is one of a non-linear direction press unit or a press unit having a compression surface area which decreases with the movement of compression.

Generally, a vaginal insert device used to treat urinary incontinence is disclosed. The vaginal insert device includes a support portion, a stabilizing portion, a removal device, and at least one fluid passageway extending though the support portion. The substantially cylindrical support portion has a distal end and a proximal end. In addition, the support portion has a plurality of foldable areas extending from the distal end to the proximal end. Desirably, the plurality of foldable areas helically curve as the plurality of foldable areas extend from the distal end to the proximal end. The largest outer circumference of the support portion has an insertion diameter when the plurality of foldable areas are compressed and foldable inward and an in-use diameter wherein the plurality of foldable areas are extended outward into a maximum in-use diameter position. Desirably, the in-use diameter is larger than the insertion diameter.

An apparatus for manufacturing an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene includes a tampon press having a plurality of elongate press dies disposed about central press axis to form a press cavity and a cylindrical carrier having a diameter less than that of the predetermined finished diameter. The elongate press dies include a plurality of longitudinal penetrating dies, each having a pressing face notch disposed proximate a first end thereof and an end notch disposed on an edge perpendicular to the pressing face at the opposite second end thereof that cooperate with corresponding notches in an adjacent penetrating die.

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.

There is provided a tampon pledget that includes one or more enhanced features that result in the pledget exhibiting increased bypass leakage prevention. These enhanced features may include, but are not limited to, geometry, absorption, and any combinations thereof. There is also provided one or more methods for constructing a tampon pledget having increased bypass leakage protection.