Patent ID: 8403879

Claim:
Process for manufacturing a tampon for feminine hygiene, the tampon comprising an introductory end, the process comprising steps as follows: a) Providing a tampon blank comprising a longitudinally extending strip of random fiber material, the length of the tampon blank corresponds substantially to the length of the tampon, b) pressing the tampon blank to a preform of a round cross section with a more intensely densified fiber column in the region of the longitudinal axis of the preform and forming substantially longitudinally extending grooves and ribs alternating in circumferential direction at an outer circumferential surface of the preform, and c) tapering the introductory end of the preform to form a tampon, wherein the fiber column, the longitudinal grooves and longitudinal ribs are formed during their tapering into collecting grooves and collecting ribs at a front end of the tampon, wherein the collecting grooves are open axially to the front and radially outward of the tampon.