Method for forming a cellulosic tampon applicator

A method of forming a tampon applicator, the method comprising:

• providing a cylindrical paper segment having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface surrounding the longitudinal axis, wherein the leading edge portion or the trailing edge portion forms a portion of the outer surface comprising a seam;
• pleating a first end region of the cylindrical paper segment to form at least two ridges and valleys extending about the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the at least two valleys extends from a first valley end point to a second valley end point, wherein the first valley end point is positioned closer to the longitudinal axis than the second valley end point;
• inserting a forming rod into an opening of the first end region and forming the first end region such that the first end region comprises a pusher opening and the region surrounding the pusher opening having a gaussian curvature not equal to zero;
• and
• compressing the first end region to form a grip region comprising a first face.

A method of forming a tampon applicator, the method comprising:

• providing a cylindrical paper segment having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface surrounding the longitudinal axis;
• pleating a first end region of the cylindrical paper segment to form at least two ridges and valleys extending about the longitudinal axis, wherein each of the at least two valleys extends from a first valley end point to a second valley end point, wherein the first valley end point is positioned closer to the longitudinal axis than the second valley end point;
• inserting a forming rod into an opening of the first end region and forming the first end region such that the first end region comprises a pusher opening and the region surrounding the pusher opening having a gaussian curvature not equal to zero;
• and
• compressing the first end region to form a grip region comprising a first face.