Abstract: An apparatus and a method for forming tampons is disclosed, as well as the tampon itself. The apparatus includes a mechanism and the method includes the step of advancing and cutting a cover strip and an absorbent ribbon into predetermined lengths. A portion of the absorbent ribbon is then overlapped by the cover strip and both are radially wound into a cylinder having a length equal to at least two tampons. The cylinder is then compressed and cut into two or more single length pledgets. The single length pledgets are heat set before a withdrawal string is attached to form a finished tampon. The tampon itself can be made with tucked or untucked ends.

Abstract: A three-dimensionally hourglass-shaped sanitary napkin with a cellulose fluff insert for absorption that is outwardly bulging on the baffle side to create a thicker region near the center of the sanitary napkin. The baffle or fluid-impervious layer wraps around the absorbent cellulose fluff insert to form a well thereby maintaining fluid within its borders to afford increased protection from fluid leakage.