Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosed tampon may include a pledget having a rearward end; a wicking member having a trailing portion trailing the rearward end and having a rearward edge; and a withdrawal cord with an attached portion attached to the pledget and a free portion trailing the rearward edge. In an opened condition the pledget has a pair of side edges and a pledget width, and includes fibrous absorbent material and an outer cover of a first section of nonwoven web at least partially covering the absorbent material, the trailing portion of the wicking member including at least four layers of nonwoven web, at least one of which is an extension of the first section of nonwoven web. The wicking member may have a width substantially equal to the pledget width; and the trailing portion may have a length of at least about 10 mm and no greater than about 60 mm.

Abstract: 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 the secondary absorbent members. And a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with a primary absorbent member. A thread is combined with the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: A tampon applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly may include a barrel portion, a grip portion and an ejection plunger configured to slide coaxially within one or both the barrel portion and the grip portion. One or more of the barrel portion, grip portion and ejection plunger may be molded from a molding composite comprising cellulose fibers.

Abstract: 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 the secondary absorbent members. And a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with a primary absorbent member. A thread is combined with the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: A tampon applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly may include a barrel portion, a grip portion and an ejection plunger configured to slide coaxially within one or both the barrel portion and the grip portion. One or more of the barrel portion, grip portion and ejection plunger may be molded from a molding composite comprising cellulose fibers.

Abstract: A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member disposed in direct contact with the pledget, and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The wicking member is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member disposed in direct contact with the pledget, and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The wicking member is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: 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 the secondary absorbent members. And a secondary absorbent member is positioned in contact with a primary absorbent member. A thread is combined with the continuous cord, the secondary absorbent member, and the primary absorbent member.

Abstract: A tampon comprising an absorbent pledget and a withdrawal cord attached to the pledget is disclosed. The withdrawal cord may be constituted predominantly (by weight) of natural plant fiber such as cotton, and comprise no more than 5 percent by weight material derived from petroleum, while exhibiting limiting wicking capability. A method for manufacturing tampons with withdrawal cords including cotton fiber is disclosed, including a scouring step in which the scouring solution is of relatively lower pH than is conventional for scouring cotton, is disclosed.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The disclosed tampon may include a pledget having a rearward end; a wicking member having a trailing portion trailing the rearward end and having a rearward edge; and a withdrawal cord with an attached portion attached to the pledget and a free portion trailing the rearward edge. In an opened condition the pledget has a pair of side edges and a pledget width, and includes fibrous absorbent material and an outer cover of a first section of nonwoven web at least partially covering the absorbent material, the trailing portion of the wicking member including at least four layers of nonwoven web, at least one of which is an extension of the first section of nonwoven web. The wicking member may have a width substantially equal to the pledget width; and the trailing portion may have a length of at least about 10 mm and no greater than about 60 mm.

Abstract: A tampon applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly may include a barrel portion, a grip portion and an ejection plunger configured to slide coaxially within one or both the barrel portion and the grip portion. One or more of the barrel portion, grip portion and ejection plunger may be molded from a molding composite comprising cellulose fibers.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member disposed in direct contact with the pledget, and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The wicking member is non-coaxially arranged with respect to the withdrawal cord.

Abstract: An absorbent article comprising an applicator and an absorbent tampon is disclosed herein. The applicator has an insertion portion and a plunger portion, the plunger portion being movable within the insertion portion. The absorbent tampon is disposed within the insertion portion, and the absorbent tampon has a primary absorbent member. At least one of the applicator or absorbent tampon is made up of, at least in part, bio-sourced material.

Abstract: A method for making an elastomeric apertured web comprises providing a precursor web comprising a laminate which is subjected to incremental stretching to form an elastomeric precursor web. A forming apparatus is provided comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first member comprises a mating member, and the second member comprises teeth which are joined to the second member. The elastomeric precursor web is moved through the forming apparatus, wherein apertures are formed in the elastomeric precursor web material as the teeth on the second member penetrate the mating member forming an elastomeric apertured web. The elastomeric apertured web exhibits a WVTR of at least about 1000 g/m2/day.

Abstract: An outer cover for a disposable absorbent article. The outer cover includes an elastic material joined to an extensible material to form a laminate. At least two different areas of the laminate are simultaneously activated in different directions by a single pair of intermeshing activation rolls. At least a portion of the two different areas of activation on the outer cover are spatially separated by a buffer zone.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously activating two or more portions of a web in different directions. The process involves feeding a web into an apparatus that includes a pair of intermeshing activation rolls having three dimensional surface features configured to simultaneously activate different portions a web in different directions. The three dimensional surface features are arranged in discrete regions on the rolls such that at least two of the regions provide different directions of activation. The rolls include one or more buffer regions positioned between the discrete regions on the roll that provide different directions of activation.