APPARATUS AND METHOD OF FORMING A PAPER APPLICATOR CONTAINING A COMPOSTABLE COATING AND THE ARTICLE ITSELF

摘要

An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. The exterior surface of the tubular member is coated with a compostable coating which is comprised of at least about 98 percent by weight of a polymeric material. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.62 to about 0.86 and a wet coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.69 to about 1.12. These low dry and wet coefficients of kinetic friction values facilitate insertion of the applicator into the body cavity. Also disclosed is an apparatus for coating a strip of paper and a method of forming a paper applicator containing a compostable coating.