MXPA06004820A - Absorbent tampon providing clean digital insertion - Google Patents

Abstract

A tampon has a generally uniform fiber distribution along its length, an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and a longitudinal axis. A finger recess having a depth of at least about 5 mm is formed into the withdrawal end. Nonetheless, a column strength of at least about 10 Newtons (N) can still be achieved. The tampon can be formed by winding an absorbent fibrous web around a winding mandrel;transferring the blank into a press;inserting a forming mandrel into one end of a tampon blank while the tampon blank is positioned in the press;moving a plurality of press jaws toward a central longitudinal press axis to compress the tampon blank and to form a compressed tampon having a finger recess formed into the one end of the tampon;and ejecting the compressed tampon from the press.

Description

ABSORBING TAMPON THAT PROVIDES CLEAN DIGITAL INSERTION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This invention relates to the following co-pending application: US Serial No. 10/700743, filed the same day as the present one, entitled "A Hygienic Tampon and an Absorbent Body Used in the Formation of a Tampon" (Case Number of the Attorney J &J-5085).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an absorbent article for inserting into the body and to a method for manufacturing this absorbent article. The absorbent article has a recess formed in the end of the retreat, so that it fits a finger and aids the insertion into the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Buffers for use in the body can generally be categorized into two groups: those that are inserted into the body cavity by means of an applicator or those that are digitally inserted by the user. Both types are well known and have been available in the market for many years.

The applicator for the insertion of the tampon consists of multiple parts, including an insertion portion and a plunger. After the buffer is inserted, these parts are then discarded, thereby creating waste. The tampons inserted digitally are generally more compact in their packaging and produce less waste. However, some women refuse to use a digital tampon, as the insert can be dirtier than a tampon inserted with an applicator. Additionally, placing the tampon inside the vaginal canal can be more accurate and easier with an applicator. The gaps have been incorporated to the back or end of removed tampons for various reasons. For example, the German General Purpose Model 201 15 829.9 (Spodeck) describes the use of a concave curvature at the bottom of the tampon. This allows an adjustment coupling of shapes of the user's index finger during insertion. Johnson, U.S. Patent No. 3,863,636, describes the packing of a yarn withdrawn into a small diameter orifice disposed longitudinally. Other patents describe buffers having a hollow, so that an element that helps the insertion, like a stick, can be placed inside the hollow. See, for example, Olson et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,683,912, Cloots et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,131, 435, as well as Truman, U.S. Patent No. 3,983,875.

Leutwyler et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,813,102, describe an apparatus for forming a tampon having a recess for the finger at the withdrawal end of the tampon. The tip of the index finger is then inserted into the recess for the die before the tampon is introduced into the body. The removed end is compacted to a lesser degree, making it easier to shape the recess for the finger and the insertion of the index finger into the recess. The softer nature of the fiber material at the withdrawn end provides the user with a more pleasant feel and allows a more rapid expansion of the removed end, which is supposed to help protect against spills. Child et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,283,952, describe a tampon and a method for forming a tampon wherein absorbent material is rolled to form an elongate plug. Some of the layers of the absorbent material are displaced using a conical die. The plug is then compressed and thermally conditioned. The compressed plug is then pressed, using a push rod sized to produce an indentation in the plug, against a heated head forming die. The displacement of the material creates an indentation or conical depression. The indentation facilitates the widening, which provides a space for the user's finger, even if the user does not enlarge the removed end. The displacement of fibers causes the density of the fibers to increase along the central core of the plug, giving the push rod a firmer area against which to push than it would in a compressed plug., that would not have been subject to this fiber displacement. The preferred dimension of the push rod used to form the indentation may range between 9,906 and 17,526 millimeters in length. Although there are illustrated developments in the provision of buffers with recesses at their withdrawal end, a buffer is required that has a sufficient flare resistance for digital insertion and that provides a clean, neat and sufficient size, which forms a recess for the finger that is large enough to provide a secure fit with a user's finger during insertion. A process for forming said tampon without significant axial fiber displacement at a domed insertion end is required. Such axial displacement can lead to an insertion end that is too dense and damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has been found that a tampon having a single recess for the die that is large enough to provide a secure fit with a user's finger during insertion, provides a feeling of cleanliness to the user, without destroying the flambe resistance of the tampon . In one aspect of the invention, the tampon includes a fibrous absorbent body having a generally uniform fiber distribution along its length, an insertion end, a withdrawn end, and a longitudinal axis. A recess for the finger that has a depth of at least about 5 millimeters is formed at the retreating end. However, a flambe resistance of at least about 10 Newtons (N) can still be achieved. In another aspect of the invention, the tampon is formed by winding an absorbent fibrous web around a winding mandrel; transferring the body to a press; inserting a forming mandrel into one end of a tampon body while the tampon body is placed in the press; moving a plurality of press jaws toward a central longitudinal press shaft to compress the tampon body and form a compressed tampon having a recess for the finger formed at the end of the tampon; and eject the compressed tampon from the press. Another aspect of the invention is an apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent tampon with a recess for the finger located at its withdrawn end. The apparatus includes (1) a plurality of press jaws that are movable radially to a central longitudinal press axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the tampon and (2) a forming mandrel insertable into the press along the longitudinal press axis central in a location corresponding to the end of the buffer removed. The press jaws are radially movable, while the forming mandrel is inserted at one end of the press corresponding to the end of the buffer withdrawal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Normal Absorbent Buffer o.b.®. Figure 2 is a cross section of the tampon of Figure 1, taken along line 2-2. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tampon body useful for forming the tampon of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a tampon manufactured in accordance with the present invention. Figure 5a is a cross section of the tampon of Figure 4 taken along the line 5a-5a. Figure 5b is a cross section of the tampon of Figure 4 taken along the line 5b-5b. Figure 6 is a representation of a user placing a tampon of the present invention on his finger to prepare to insert it. Figures 7a-7b are a side elevation of a winding mandrel useful in the present invention (Figure 7b) and a cross section of the winding mandrel, taken along line a-a of Figure 7b (Figure 7a); Figure 8 is an end view of a tampon body useful in the present invention; Figures 9a-9b are a cross-section of a tampon press (similar to that shown in Leutwyler et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,911, 712) in an open position (Figure 9a) and a closed position (Figure 9b) with a forming mandrel; And Figures 10a-10c are a longitudinal cross section of a compressed tampon and a transfer rod in sequence: before (figuralOa), during (figure 10b) and after (figure 10c) of the transfer of the compressed tampon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES As used herein, the specification and the claims, the term "spiral" and variants thereof relate to the winding around a center or pole and to gradually departing from or approaching it. As used herein, the specification and claims, the term "buffer" and variants thereof relate to a device that absorbs bodily fluids upon insertion into the body of a mammal. This definition includes vaginal and nasal tampons. As used herein, the specification and the claims, the term "gap" and variants thereof refer to an empty macroscopic space.

As used herein, the specification and the claims, the term "compressible" and variants thereof refer to materials that may be compressed to maintain a generally compressed form, but may also expand to a relatively uncompressed state upon exposure. to enough humidity. As used in the specification and claims, the term "radial expansion" and variations of this term refer to the expansion of generally cylindrical buffers. The present invention relates to providing a tampon for inserting into the body, which protects the user's finger from soiling with body exudates. It also provides a means to direct the position of the tampon during insertion. In particular, a fibrous tampon is described, especially for digital insertion, having a generally uniform fiber distribution along the length of the tampon and providing a recess for the finger extending at least about 5 millimeters towards the end of the buffer removed. The tampon has a flaming resistance of at least about 10 N. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an absorbent article having a gap formed in the base of the tampon. Figure 1 illustrates a commercially available vaginal buffer 2, e.g., a Normal Absorbent Buffer o.b.®. The tampon 2 has an absorbent structure comprising an absorbent material 4, an insertion end 6 and an opposite withdrawal end 8. A wrapping material 10 is disposed on the absorbent material 4 as described below. The tampon 2 also has a recess 12 inside and a withdrawn yarn 14 extending from the withdrawn end 8. The recess 12 is generally concave and is shown as a series of discontinuous circular lines in Figure 1, as well as generally not It is more than about 3 millimeters deep (measured along the longitudinal axis of the product). As shown in Figure 2, the example of tampon 2 has a relatively compressed center 16 which basically surrounds the central axis and a less compressed ring-shaped structure 18 surrounding the center 16. The relatively compressed center 16 may be designated by a density increase, as compared to the ring-shaped structure 18. This density difference can be provided by a relatively uniform fiber distribution within the center 16 and the ring-shaped structure 18, or it can be provided by a plurality of ribs 20 extending radially from the center 16. In a preferred embodiment, each rib 20 is separated from the adjacent ribs, where it joins the center 16 by means of an open channel 22 and each rib 20 it comes into contact with the adjacent ribs in proximity to the circumferential surface of the tampon. Such commercially available buffers can be made from an apparatus and method such as those described in Friese, U.S. Patent No. 4,816,100, Friese et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,310,296 and Leutwyler et al., U.S. Patent No. 5.911, 712. In this method for producing a tampon, a wrapping material is attached to an absorbent network. The absorbent net with the wrapping is then wound upwards on itself around an axis extending transversely to its longitudinal direction by means of a winding mandrel. An example of the rolled structure or buffer body 24 is shown in Figure 3. In this example, the winding mandrel is a fork having two members, which are located symmetrically about the central axis of the mandrel, which has basically the same size. After winding, the winding mandrel is removed, leaving two gaps shown as 26a and 26b, which are also symmetrical in size and location. With respect to figure 4, one embodiment of the present invention, a vaginal tampon 42, is shown. The tampon 42 has an absorbent structure comprising an absorbent material 44, an insertion end 46 and an opposite withdrawal end 48. The absorbent structure has a fiber distribution generally uniform along the length of the tampon. A wrapping material 50 is disposed on the absorbent material 44 in any useful way, e.g., as described above for the Normal Absorbent Buffer o.b.®. The tampon 42 also has a recess for the elongate, relatively deep finger 52 within and a withdrawn yarn 54 extending from the withdrawn end 48.

Figures 5a and 5b, a cross section of Figure 4, show a relatively compressed center 56 which, again, basically surrounds the central axis, as well as a less compressed ring-shaped structure 58 surrounds the center 56. However, in the region of the withdrawn end 48, the recess for the finger 52 extends well towards the withdrawn end 48 and leaves a gap within the center 56. Again, the difference in density can be provided by a relatively uniform fiber distribution. within the center 56 and ring-shaped structure 58, or it may be provided by a plurality of ribs 60 extending radially from the center 56. In a preferred embodiment, each rib 60 is separated from the adjacent ribs, where it joins the center 56 by means of an open channel 62, while each rib 60 comes into contact with the adjacent ribs in proximity to the circumferential surface of the pad 42. Preferably, the recess has a depth and diameter such that a user can maintain control of the tampon by inserting it merely by placing his finger in the recess for the finger. Preferably, the recess for the finger has a depth of at least about 5 millimeters, more preferably at least about 10 millimeters, and, more preferably still, the recess has a depth of about 10 millimeters to about 15 millimeters. These dimensions provide a depth ratio of the recess for the finger: diameter of the recess for the finger of at least about 1: 1, more preferably of at least about 2: 1 and, more preferably still, the proportion is of about 2: 1 to about 4: 1. The present invention provides many benefits. In particular, the recess for the finger 52 allows the user to place the tampon 42 in a fixed manner on his finger 64 during the insertion of the tampon 42 into the body (see Figure 6). This helps the user to place the tampon in the vaginal anal and also allows the tip of the finger to remain clean, that is, the portion of the tip of the finger does not come into contact with the body, nor with the bodily fluids during insertion. The scraping or potential irritation of the nail of the user's finger is also minimized. The insertion of the finger in the recess for the finger 52 widens the withdrawn end 48 of the tampon 42. Stretching the tampons is a common practice of users to help prevent spills and / or to aid insertion. However, the tampon 42 of the present invention has sufficient flare resistance to be digitally inserted without widening. Therefore, a user who does not get used to widening does not need to change their habits. Absorbent pads are generally basically cylindrical masses of compressed absorbent material having a central axis and a radius defining the outer circumferential surface of the tampon. Buffers are often formed by first obtaining a mass formed of absorbent material called buffer body. This body may be in the form of a material in the form of a roll of sheet, a segment of a continuous absorbent material, a mass of absorbent material oriented substantially uniformly or randomly, a mass individually prepared or formed of absorbent material, or another similar . The buffer body is relatively uncompressed and has a relatively low density. The envelope essentially encloses the tampon body and, therefore, encloses a majority of the outer surface of the finished tampon. The body can then be compressed to form a product having smaller overall dimensions than those of the body before use. Preferably, the tampon body has a generally uniform fiber density along its length. This can provide sufficient fiber availability to provide a density of compressed fibers along the length of the buffer, producing adequate flambe resistance for the buffer. The compressed buffers may have a generally uniform density through the buffer, or may have regions of divergent density, as described in the patents collectively assigned to Friese et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,310,296 and Leutwyler et al., Patent. No. 5,911, 712, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. The wrap may facilitate the insertion of the tampon into the body cavity and may reduce the possibility of the fibers separating from the tampon. The person skilled in the art is familiar with the materials that are useful for the formation of wraps. The wrapping materials may be selected from an outer layer of fibers that are bonded together (such as by thermal bonding), a non-woven fabric, an open film, or the like. Materials that can be used in the tampon include fibers, foams, and other discrete materials. The materials can be polymeric or cellulose. A representative, non-limiting list of useful materials includes fibrous materials, such as cellulose, polyester, polyvinyl alcohol, polyolefin, polyamine, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile and the like. A representative, non-limiting list of useful cellulosic fibers includes natural fibers such as cotton, wood pulp, jute, hemp, sphagnum moss and the like, as well as processed materials, including cellulose derivatives, such as regenerated cellulose (including rayon and lyocell). ), cellulose nitrate, carboxymethylcellulose and the like. The compressed tampons bounce slightly after a moderate mechanical compression of their original dimensions. Therefore, the tampon bodies are generally compressed in excess to allow them to slightly bounce back to the desired usage density. Excess compression mechanically restricts the expansion to prevent the tampon from expanding without added liquid. During use, the buffers of the present invention absorb moisture and liquids and expand radially. These buffers expand essentially in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the tampon. Preferably, the buffers expand in at least one direction perpendicular to the central axis, most preferably in at least two directions. More preferably, the buffers expand substantially uniformly in all directions perpendicular to the central axis. Buffers are generally categorized into two classes: applicator buffers and digital buffers, as well as a certain amount of dimensional stability is useful for each type of tampon. The applicator pads use a relatively rigid device to contain and protect the tampon before use. To insert the tampon into a body cavity, the applicator is partially inserted into the body cavity and the tampon can be expelled from that site. In contrast, digital tampons do not have an applicator to help guide them into the body cavity and require sufficient flare resistance to allow insertion without using an applicator. This resistance can be determined by fixing one end of the buffer on the fixed plate of an Instron Universal Testing Machine, available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Massachusetts, USA. The movable plate comes into contact with the opposite end of the and is subsequently placed to compress the tampon at an index of about 5 centimeters / minute. The force exerted on the tampon is measured continuously and the point at which this force begins to fall instead of increase, is the point at which the tampon buckles. The maximum force achieved is the stability of the buffer. Preferably, the digital buffers of the present invention have a significant stability of at least about 10 Newtons (N). Most preferred, the digital buffers have a stability of at least about 15 N, 20 N or 25 N and, even more preferably, have a stability of about 30 N to about 85 N. The buffers with a stability that is too low, do not It has sufficient dimensional stability to maintain its basic structure during insertion as a digital buffer. Buffers with a stability that is too high may be perceived as too rigid or hard to be inserted comfortably as a digital buffer. As previously noted in the description of the prior art (eg, Friese, U.S. Patent No. 4,816,100, Figures 3 and 4), the winding mandrel used to form the buffer body 24 is a symmetric unit, i.e. The winding mandrel has two members that are located symmetrically about the central axis of the winding mandrel. Therefore, after the absorbent network and the wrapping material are wound, the voids (shown as 26a and 26b in Figure 3, in the present case) are also symmetrical in size and location. A process for producing a buffer in accordance with the present invention is a modification of that generally described in Friese, U.S. Patent No. 4,816,100, Friese et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,310,296 and Leutwyler et al., U.S. Pat. US No. 5,911, 712, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference. An optional deviation of Friese '100 is a modification of the winding mandrel. Some significant deviations from Friese et al. '296 and Leutwyler et al. 712, are modifications in the press section. These deviations and additional features are described in detail later. In the manufacture of a tampon in accordance with the present invention, the absorbent network is wound around a winding mandrel to form a loose cylindrical tampon body. The winding mandrel may be similar to that described in Friese, U.S. Patent No. 4,816,100 (Figures 3 and 4), as well as forming the two similar voids. Alternatively, the winding mandrel can be asymmetric. An example of an asymmetric winding mandrel 100 useful in the present invention has two dissimilar members 102a and b. Figures 7a-7b illustrate an example. One member can be substantially larger than the other. Additionally, the members may not be located symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the winding mandrel. When this winding mandrel 100 is used to wind the absorbent network and form the wound buffer body 104, it produces two formed holes 106a and b, one of which (106b) includes the longitudinal axis of the buffer body. This is shown in Figure 8. These recesses allow the formation of the recess for the finger without a significant displacement of the fibers along the longitudinal axis. After the buffer body 104 has been formed, it is placed in a press 108 similar to that shown in Leutwyler et al. 712 However, a forming mandrel 110 is inserted into one end of a tampon body, while the tampon body is placed in the press.

Although the forming mandrel 110 can simply be inserted into the tampon body and form its own space by moving the fibers of the absorbent structure, it is preferable that it be inserted into a recess formed by the winding mandrel. If an asymmetric winding mandrel 100 is used, the forming mandrel 110 can be adjusted in the larger recess 106b of the buffer body 104. This forming mandrel 110 keeps the fibers out of the recess space for the finger 52. Again, this Mandrel 110 eliminates the need to move the fibers along the longitudinal axis. The jaws 112 of the press compress the body, while the forming mandrel 110 remains in the structure which becomes a compressed tampon 114. In one embodiment, the forming mandrel 110 is a rod formed of stainless steel. When using a stainless steel rod, it is preferable that the compression jaws 112 of the press 108 that compress the body 104 around the rod, are partially removed (e.g., at 118). In other words, the press jaws extend less toward the central longitudinal press axis in a portion corresponding to the forming mandrel. The shortening of the press jaws allows for compensation of the volume that the rod is occupying within the buffer body 104. Of course, the person skilled in the art will recognize that certain arrangements of jaws and forming mandrel may not require this shortening. The external diameter of the tampon remains relatively constant from the insertion end to the withdrawn end.

Additionally, the density along the longitudinal axis of the tampon (the central core) remains relatively constant from the insertion end to the innermost portion of the recess for the finger 52 (as shown in Figures 4 and 10a-10c). The forming mandrel can also be made of other materials. For example, an elastic foam rubber structure can be inserted into the body. Once the body is compressed, the foam rubber can be removed. It has been found that, if a collapsible piece of material is used as a forming mandrel, the gap formed with the removed end may have a star shape, the inverse of the ribs formed by the press jaws. Additionally, the forming mandrel can have any shape. In one embodiment, the forming mandrel is cylindrical, with a tapered front end 120. Other embodiments of the forming mandrel 110 are also possible. For example, this may have a multi-point, polygonal, cross-sectional star cross section and the like. Preferably, the dimensions of the forming mandrel are in accordance with the dimensions of the tampon. For example, for most vaginal tampons, the mandrel can have between about 2 millimeters and about 8 millimeters in diameter, preferably between about 3 millimeters and about 6 millimeters. Generally this provides a space between the forming mandrel and the press jaws of at least about 0.2 millimeters, preferably between about 0.2 millimeters and about 1.5 millimeters, and, even more preferably, between about 0.4 millimeters and about 0.6 millimeters. The forming mandrel 110 may have additional features to assist in the formation of a recess for the stable finger 52 in a stable compressed tampon 112. For example, means may be used to heat the mandrel and help to "thermally settle" the fibers of the structure. compressed In addition, the forming mandrel may have covers or other treatments to improve its useful life, to reduce the friction of the process, to impart the desired characteristics to the recess for the finger, as well as other similar ones. Without sufficient design consideration, the size of the recess for finger 52 could significantly weaken the product. Thus, the radial compression of the tampon 42 at the withdrawn end 48, including a substantial amount of fibers, provides a structurally stable base. Therefore, the tampon 42 can be inserted digitally, with or without widening (finger protection). The user does not have to change their habits, whether they expand the product or not. It also provides significant flare resistance, as described above. Flame resistance of the present invention can be measured for the tampon in general, for the removed end portion containing the recess for the finger and / or for that portion of the tampon that excludes the recess for the finger. These variations can be determined by measuring the sections of the tampon. Despite the presence of substantial recess for the finger, the flaming resistance of the present invention can be favorably compared with the Normal or Absorbent Buffer. b.® available in the market. Returning to Figures 10a-10c, once the compressed tampon 114 is removed from the press 108 for further processing, the recess for the finger 52 may be partially obstructed by the fibers 122 extending from the edges of the compressed tampon 114. , as well as the removed yarn (not shown). To cope with this, a transfer rod 124 having a tip 126 can be used to transfer the finished tampon 42. The tip 126 is inserted into the recess for the finger 52 to align the thread with the outer perimeter of the compressed tampon 114 and to remove any loose fiber 122 that is still around or within the gap of the pressing operation (removal of the forming mandrel 110). The tip 126 may be a slight continuation of the transfer rod 124 or there may be a bearing surface 128 adjacent the base of the tip 126. The transfer rod 124 may be used in one of several locations in the manufacturing process, but a location in which it is particularly useful is in the movement of the compressed tampon towards the dome former (not shown), to produce the finished tampon 42. The transfer rod 124 and the tip 126 can take any useful shape, depending on the desired result . For example, the tip may be conical, elliptical, cylindrical and the like. The tip should have the appropriate dimensions in relation to the recess for the finger to penetrate the recess for the finger no more than necessary. Therefore, the tip 126 must have a length less than or equal to the depth of the recess for the finger. For example, the tip may have a length of less than about 15 millimeters, preferably less than about 10 millimeters or even less than about 5 millimeters. The tip may be conical, as shown in Figures 10a-10c. The included angle of the cone may be between about 15 ° and about 120 °, depending on other design factors recognized by the person skilled in the art. Like the forming mandrel, the transfer rod 124, and especially the tip 126, can be heated or not heated. The specification and the foregoing embodiments are presented to assist in comprehensively and non-limitingly understanding the invention described herein. Since many variations and embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, the invention resides in the appended claims hereinafter.

Claims (28)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A tampon comprising: a fibrous absorbent body having: a) an insertion end, a withdrawal end and a longitudinal axis; b) a recess for the finger having a depth of at least about 5 millimeters, formed at the withdrawal end; c) a flaming resistance of at least about 10 Newtons (N); d) a generally uniform fiber distribution along the length of the buffer.

2. The tampon according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a cover that forms an external surface of the fibrous absorbent body.

3. The tampon according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises a withdrawal yarn extending from the withdrawn end of the fibrous absorbent body.

4. The tampon according to claim 1, further characterized in that the recess for the finger has a size that allows it to fit the finger of a user.

5. The tampon according to claim 1, further characterized in that the recess for the finger has a diameter and a depth ratio of the recess for the finger with respect to the diameter of the recess for the finger that is at least approximately 1. :1.

6. The tampon according to claim 1, further characterized in that the recess for the finger is delimited by a ring-shaped structure with a relatively high fiber density, said ring-shaped structure being, in turn, bounded by an external region with a relatively low fiber density.

7. The tampon according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fibrous absorbent structure comprises a center with a relatively high density of fibers that basically surrounds the longitudinal axis, from which a plurality of ribs with a relatively low density is formed. They extend radially.

8. The tampon according to claim 7, further characterized in that the recess for the finger is surrounded by the center at the withdrawn end.

9. The tampon according to claim 8, further characterized in that the center has a larger diameter close to the withdrawal end than to the introduction end.

10. The tampon according to claim 7, further characterized in that the ribs are generally separated from adjacent ribs, where they extend from the center through an open channel.

11. - The tampon according to claim 7, further characterized in that the ribs are spiral-shaped along the buffer.

12. A method for forming a tampon, the method comprising the steps of: a) winding an absorbent fibrous web around a winding mandrel; b) transferring the body to a press, the press having a plurality of press jaws; c) inserting a forming mandrel into one end of a tampon body, while the tampon body is placed in the press; d) moving the jaws towards a central longitudinal press axis to compress the tampon body and form a compressed tampon having a recess for the finger formed at the end of the tampon; and e) eject the compressed tampon from the press.

13. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the winding mandrel has a first member and a second member, to form a buffer body having a first recess formed corresponding to the first member and a second recess.

14. The method according to claim 13, further characterized in that the step of inserting a forming mandrel into one end of a tampon body comprises inserting the forming mandrel into one of the first and second recesses.

15. - The method according to claim 13, further characterized in that the first member is larger than the second and the first hole is larger than the second hole.

16. The method according to claim 15, further characterized in that the step of inserting a forming mandrel into one end of a tampon body comprises inserting the forming mandrel into the first recess.

17. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that it comprises the step of pressing the recess for the finger to transfer the compressed tampon during manufacture.

18. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the compressed tampon has an external diameter that is basically constant.

19. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the recess for the finger has a depth of at least about 5 millimeters.

20. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the press jaws extend less toward the central longitudinal press axis in a portion corresponding to the forming mandrel.

21. An apparatus for manufacturing an absorbent tampon having an insertion end, a withdrawal end and a longitudinal axis, the apparatus comprising: a) a plurality of press jaws, radially movable toward a central longitudinal press axis corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the buffer; b) a forming mandrel insertable into the press along the central longitudinal press axis at a location corresponding to the withdrawal end of the tampon; wherein the press jaws are radially movable, while the forming mandrel is inserted at one end of the press corresponding to the removed end of the tampon.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, further characterized in that the press jaws extend less toward the central longitudinal press axis in a portion corresponding to the forming mandrel.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, further characterized in that the forming mandrel has a circular cross section.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, further characterized in that the forming mandrel has a cross-section in the form of a multi-point star.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21, further characterized in that the distal end of the forming mandrel extending towards the press is tapered.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21, further characterized in that it comprises a transfer rod: a) capable of being at the withdrawal end of the tampon; and b) comprising a tip that is insertable into the recess for the finger.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, further characterized in that the tip is tapered. 28.- A method for using an absorbent tampon, the method comprising the steps of: a) removing from a package, a tampon having one end of removed and one recess for the finger located at the end of withdrawal; b) inserting a finger into the recess for the finger in a sufficiently fixed manner to maintain control of the tampon during insertion into a body cavity; and c) inserting the tampon into the body cavity.