Method and apparatus for making tampons

A method for making a tampon, the method comprising steps of:

• advancing primary absorbent members at a first speed, S1, wherein each primary absorbent member comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface extending in the machine direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edges of advancing the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance;
• advancing a continuous length of secondary absorbent members at a second speed, S2, wherein the second speed, S2, is less than the first speed, S1;
• cutting discrete secondary absorbent members from the continuous length of secondary absorbent members, wherein each discrete secondary absorbent member comprises extends in the machine direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge;
• accelerating the discrete secondary absorbent members from the second speed, S2, to the first speed, S1;
• advancing a continuous cord in the machine direction;
• advancing the continuous cord and the discrete secondary absorbent members at the first speed S1 on a rotating transfer wheel;
• positioning the continuous cord on the discrete secondary absorbent members;
• positioning a first discrete secondary absorbent member in contact with a first primary absorbent member;
• and
• combining the continuous cord, the first discrete secondary absorbent member, and the first primary absorbent member.

A method for making a tampon, the method comprising steps of:

• advancing primary absorbent members in a machine direction, wherein each primary absorbent member comprises a first surface and an opposing second surface extending in the machine direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the leading edges of advancing the primary absorbent members are separated from each other in the machine direction by a pitch distance;
• advancing discrete secondary absorbent members, wherein each discrete secondary absorbent member extends in the machine direction between a leading edge and a trailing edge;
• separating the leading edges of the advancing discrete secondary absorbent members from each other in the machine direction by the pitch distance;
• advancing a continuous cord in the machine direction;
• advancing the continuous cord and the discrete secondary absorbent members on a rotating transfer wheel;
• positioning the continuous cord on a first primary absorbent member;
• positioning a first discrete secondary absorbent member in contact with the first primary absorbent member;
• and
• combining the continuous cord, the first discrete secondary absorbent member, and the first primary absorbent member.