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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.