of the Disclosure An improved apparatus for forming tampon blanks for further processing into compressed, self-sustaining tampons, permits increased speed and accuracy of the process step. The apparatus includes a sliver guide； a gripper capable of reciprocating motion and arranged and configured to cooperate with the sliver 5 guide to grasp an end of a sliver maintained therein； a winding mandrel； a plurality of winding cups； and e) a string application and knotter apparatus comprising a circular ring bearing having a string conveyor mounted thereon. The circular ring bearing of the string application and knotter apparatus defines a plane perpendicular to the sliver guide and motion of the gripper and parallel to the 10 winding axis of the winding mandrel.
