An apparatus for manufacturing an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygieneincludes a tampon press having a pluralityof elongate press dies disposed about central press axis to form a presscavity and a cylindrical carrier having a diameter less thanthat of the predetermined finished diameter. The elongate press dies include aplurality of longitudinal penetrating dies, each having apressing face notch disposed proximate a first end thereof and an end notchdisposed on an edge perpendicular to the pressing face atthe opposite second end thereof that cooperate with corresponding notches inan adjacent penetrating die.
