Carrier Mold

A method of producing a shaped tampon comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a carrier mold comprising an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a longitudinal axis;
• the carrier mold further comprising a body and two or more prongs, each prong having a distal end at the carrier mold first end;
• wherein the inner surface defines an inner cavity having a shape, an open proximal end, and an intermittently closed distal end;
• and wherein at least one prong is in partial contact with at least one other prong to close the inner cavity distal end;
• (b) transferring a pledget into the inner cavity and either:
• (1) shaping and compressing the pledget;
• or
• (2) retaining a shape of an already compressed pledget;
• (c) providing pressure to flex the two or more prongs in a general direction away from the carrier mold longitudinal axis to open the inner cavity distal end;
• and
• (d) evacuating a shaped tampon from the inner cavity distal end;
• wherein the inner cavity shape is structured to define or mirror a desired shape of the shaped tampon.