A method of packaging a tampon comprising the steps of: a. providing a packaging film on a mandrel in the form of a hollow tube , wherein: i. the packaging film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface; ii. the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end , distal the first end , and a length extending from the first end to the second end , and is capable of rotating with respect to the revolving platform , iii. the hollow tube has an overlapping longitudinal seam area having two plies of the packaging film and has a first end corresponding to the first end of the mandrel and a second end distal thereof, the second end extending beyond the second end of the mandrel to define a protruding tube portion , and a length extending from the first end to the second end ; wherein the protruding tube portion has a length approximately equal to the radius of the hollow tube ; b. forming a folded surface by rotating the hollow tube and mandrel while counter-rotating a plate having a plurality of folding blades extending outwardly therefrom, distal an axis of rotation thereof to form a plurality of folds that define the folded surface, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube , each folding blade engaging a portion of the protruding tube portion ; c. applying heat and pressure to the folded surface to form a closed end; d. inserting the tampon into the tube ; and e. closing the first end of the tube. a. providing a packaging film on a mandrel in the form of a hollow tube , wherein: i. the packaging film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface; ii. the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end , distal the first end , and a length extending from the first end to the second end , and is capable of rotating with respect to the revolving platform , iii. the hollow tube has an overlapping longitudinal seam area having two plies of the packaging film and has a first end corresponding to the first end of the mandrel and a second end distal thereof, the second end extending beyond the second end of the mandrel to define a protruding tube portion , and a length extending from the first end to the second end ; wherein the protruding tube portion has a length approximately equal to the radius of the hollow tube ; i. the packaging film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface; ii. the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end , distal the first end , and a length extending from the first end to the second end , and is capable of rotating with respect to the revolving platform , iii. the hollow tube has an overlapping longitudinal seam area having two plies of the packaging film and has a first end corresponding to the first end of the mandrel and a second end distal thereof, the second end extending beyond the second end of the mandrel to define a protruding tube portion , and a length extending from the first end to the second end ; wherein the protruding tube portion has a length approximately equal to the radius of the hollow tube ; b. forming a folded surface by rotating the hollow tube and mandrel while counter-rotating a plate having a plurality of folding blades extending outwardly therefrom, distal an axis of rotation thereof to form a plurality of folds that define the folded surface, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube , each folding blade engaging a portion of the protruding tube portion ; c. applying heat and pressure to the folded surface to form a closed end; d. inserting the tampon into the tube ; and e. closing the first end of the tube. <EOS>