Method of forming a laterally expandable tampon

A method of forming a tampon, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) cutting an individual absorbent member from an absorbent strip, said absorbent member having a central longitudinal axis and a central transverse axis;
• b) rolling said absorbent member along said central transverse axis to form an elongated absorbent;
• c) placing said elongated absorbent on a liquid-permeable cover and rolling both said absorbent and said cover together to form a softwind, said softwind having a first end and a second end;
• d) folding said softwind on itself such that said first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and said softwind contains three folds therebetween, said softwind acquiring a generally M-shaped profile and having a cleft;
• e) compressing said softwind into a pledget having an insertion end and a trailing end, said insertion end containing more absorbent than said trailing end;
• f) securing a withdrawal string to said pledget to form a tampon, said withdrawal string facilitating removal of said tampon from a woman's vagina;
• and
• g) positioning said tampon into an arcuately-shaped outer tube formed on a radius with said cleft being aligned parallel with said radius.

A method of forming a tampon, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) cutting an individual absorbent member from an absorbent strip;
• b) shaping said absorbent member to form an elongated absorbent having an outer periphery;
• c) securing a liquid-permeable cover to said outer periphery of said elongated absorbent to form a softwind, said softwind having a first end and a second end;
• d) folding said softwind on itself such that said first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and said softwind contains two folds therebetween;
• e) securing a withdrawal string to said softwind;
• and
• f) compressing said softwind into a tampon.

A method of forming a tampon, said method comprising the steps of:

• a) cutting an individual absorbent member from an absorbent strip, said absorbent member having a central longitudinal axis and a central transverse axis;
• b) rolling said absorbent member along said central transverse axis to form an elongated absorbent;
• c) placing said elongated absorbent on a liquid-permeable cover and rolling both said absorbent and said cover together to form a softwind, said softwind having a first end and a second end;
• d) folding said softwind on itself such that said first and second ends are aligned adjacent to one another and said softwind contains three folds therebetween, said softwind acquiring a generally M-shaped profile and having a cleft;
• e) securing a withdrawal string to said softwind;
• f) compressing said softwind into a tampon;
• and
• g) positioning said tampon into an arcuately-shaped outer tube formed on a radius with said cleft being aligned parallel with said radius.