Playtex Products, Inc.

International Playtex, Inc.

Richard A Weber

Jamshid Rejai

Robert C Norquest

Thomas C McNelis

Willard A Ingersoll

There is provided a method for forming a round, hemispherical shape at the forward insertion end of a tampon pledget after the pledget has been assembled within a tampon applicator. The pledget is assembled within the applicator so that a portion of its fibers is exposed at an open insertion end of the applicator. After assembly, an insertion end formation tool is applied to the exposed fibers to form a depression in the middle of the insertion end and a full periphery cushion that flares peripherally outward from the depression. The insertion end formation tool has a reverse-donut shaped curvature with a central projection or spike. The central spike reduces the axial force necessary to form the full periphery cushion by radially displacing the fibers in the central location or middle of the insertion end of the pledget. With the insertion end formed in accordance with the method of present invention, the full periphery cushion provides a rounded, forward or insertion end to facilitate an application of the tampon for its intended use.

Method for post forming a rounded insertion end of a tampon pledget of

A voided polypropylene film tampon wrap having end seals which are formed by mechanical crimping and a process for sealing the ends of the voided polypropylene film tampon wrap by mechanical crimping. A notch is formed adjacent to each end seal but remote from the enclosed tampon. Each end seal is formed by a pair of horizontal teeth wheels each having a pitch of 50 teeth per inch. One of the pair of wheels is heated to a temperature of 125.degree..+-.15.degree., and force is applied to at least one wheel to seal that end of the wrap by the pair of wheels.

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Smyrna, DE, United States of America

Richard A Weber