Abstract: A method for the preparation of an enclosed sanitary device which comprises providing a compressible, rapidly absorptive, organic polymeric foam pre-form to which a finite length of withdrawal string has been attached, compressing said pre-form to less than about 50% of its original dry volume, and locating the compressed pre-form in fixed position within a fluid-soluble container. Additionally, said enclosed device may then be mounted upon a support and insertion structure. The apparatus for use in the method of this invention comprises means for compressing said pre-form to the dimensions of the final device and placing the resulting compressed pre-form in said container to form the enclosed device.

Abstract: A method for attaching a length of string to a segment of material such as a foam pre-form used in tampon manufacture comprising providing the string in proximity to the pre-form, drawing the loose ends of the string through the pre-form in intersecting divergent perpendicular directions to form a loop on the side of their entry into said pre-form, whereby the loose ends protrude therefrom, passing the protruding ends through the loop, and tightening the loop around the ends to form a knot. The apparatus useful in the above method comprises a pair of reciprocable needles adapted to extend into perpendicular intersection with the pre-form to engage and retract a length of string through said pre-form, a string tensioning means for placing said string in tension adjacent said pre-form, means in alignment with said tensioning means for severing a finite length of said string, and means laterally aligned with said pre-form and axially aligned with said needles for drawing the ends of said string into a knot.