Abstract: A method and an apparatus are indicated for the production of a cylindrical packing tube which is open at one end and closed at the other, is made from deformable tear-resistant packing material and is intended, in particular, for tampons used in female hygiene, wherein a portion of the packing material is drawn by suction onto a winding spindle provided with suction apertures and through the rotation of the winding spindle is wrapped around the latter, while the overlapping ends of the portion are joined together to form the packing tube, whose end projecting beyond the winding spindle is closed, whereupon the packing tube is removed from the winding spindle. The method is characterized in that that end of the cylindrical packing tube which projects beyond the winding spindle is held fast and during the rotation of the winding spindle is closed so as to form a twist. The method permits the production of a uniform closure pattern of the packing tube irrespective of the shape of the tampon insertion end.