Thermoplastic injection molded and flushable tampon applicator

A flushable tampon applicator comprising:

• an outer tube for housing a tampon;
• and
• an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, and wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition comprising:
• from 55 wt. % to 75 wt. % of partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH);
• from 15 wt. % to 25 wt. % polyethylene glycol (PEG);
• from about 9 wt. % to about 14 wt. % of a plasticizer;
• and
• a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part.

A flushable tampon applicator product comprising:

• an outer tube for housing a tampon;
• an inner tube, at least a portion of which extends into the outer tube, wherein the outer tube includes an outer, body-contacting surface, wherein the inner tube is moveable relative to the outer tube and configured to expel a tampon from the outer tube, and wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube comprises a thermoplastic composition comprising:
• partially-hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH),
• polyethylene glycol (PEG),
• a plasticizer, and
• a hydrophobic polymeric component, wherein at least one of the outer tube and the inner tube is a molded part;
• and
• a wrapper material configured for storage under high and low moisture storage conditions, the wrapper material having a water vapor transmission rate of less than 0.05 g/100 in2/day.