Device for manufacturing of a tampon

p0001The invention relates to a tampon for insertion into a body cavity, particularly into the female vagina, with an essentially cylindrical absorbent core having a in the direction towards an axial end thereof tapered tip, and a device for manufacturing such tampon.

p0002Tampons of the type just described are used for absorbing body fluid in the wound care, but significantly associated with the female menstrual. The menstrual fluid is true from the outside to the pad and penetrates from outside to inside in the absorbent body a. Accordingly, the liquid passes through the outer tampon layers in the normally compressed tampon core having the greatest absorbency. However, when using conventional tampon is a risk that the outer layers of the tampon is already saturated with liquid before the liquid penetrates the tampon core and then occurs the risk of leakage of liquid, although the absorbent core of the absorbent is not saturated with liquid or is fully used.

p0003Tampons have been proposed to resolve this shortcoming already whose absorbent body having parallel to the cylinder axis extending grooves in its outer periphery. In order to improve the absorption properties of tampons these grooves, the cylinder axis of the substantially cylindrical absorbent body has also been suggested, wavy and / or helically revolving execute.

p0004Although an improvement in the absorption properties can be achieved with appropriately designed tampons, it has been found that further the leakage of body fluid out of the tampon to be closed body cavity is observed, even though the absorption capacity of the tampon is not yet fully utilized.

p0005In the <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US4318405A"><text>US 4,318,405</text></patcit> is a tampon with a tapered toward an axial end tip is described in which a capsule for introduction of pharmaceutically active substances is inserted into a recess of the dome. These tampons therapeutically active substances may be incorporated. An improvement in the absorption of from the body cavity of expiring body fluid is not achieved through the use of these tampons however.

p0006In the <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US4077408A"><text>US 4,077,408</text></patcit> describes a tampon composed of a captured in a water soluble envelope foam core. This will provide a sufficient expansion capacity of the tampon can be ensured during use. However, should this only the water-soluble envelope are dissolved, which in turn can result in problems with the leakage of body fluid.

p0007Similar tampons are <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US4088132A"><text>US 4,088,132</text></patcit> described. These tampons are problematic in terms of reliable prevention of leakage of body fluid.

p0008Finally in the <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US3343225A"><text>US 3,343,225</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US3515138A"><text>US 3,515,138</text></patcit> describes tampons according to the preamble of claim 1, wherein a recess in the tip of the tampon is provided so as to improve the surface and the suction capacity of the tampon. In these known tampon of the transition between the substantially cylindrical absorbent body and the end face of the tampon is rounded, extends the funnel-shaped recess in the end surface of the tampon over substantially the entire end face up to the rounded transition region.

p0009However, it has shown that the objective of these tampons improve the pumping speed with the described pad geometry can not be obtained and further the leakage of body fluid is observed from the body cavity, even if the absorption capacity of the tampon is not fully exploited.

p0010Given these problems in the prior art, the invention aims to provide a tampon, the absorption capacity can be optimally utilized, and to provide an apparatus for producing a corresponding tampon.

p0011According to the invention this object is achieved by a further development of known tampons, which is essentially characterized in that the diameter of the recess at its vertex region facing edge of about 10 to 45%, preferably about 20 to 40%, more preferably about 25 to 35% of the Saugkörperdurchmessers is.

p0012The invention stems from the realization that the poor absorption properties of conventional tampons are due to the fact that it is precisely in the tip region a rapid saturation occurs in the outer layers of the tampon, which leads then that the body fluid to the tampon total flows past and from the vessel to be closed body height expires. By continuing the invention using a funnel or suction channel is in the dome area provided by the there impinging body fluid, particularly menses, enters directly into the absorbent core of the absorbent body, so that an early saturation of the outer region of the absorbent body in the tip region can be reliably prevented and also the inner region of the tampon can be optimally utilized. It has been shown in particular that, to be observed by providing the recess, ie a concave surface region in the otherwise convex pad Kuppe no appreciable impairment of the insertion properties of tampons, which are to be improved by the dome. Overall, therefore, the absorption property of the tampon improved by the invention further tampons without affecting its other characteristics.

p0013Here, the diameter of the recess at its apex region to the edge facing, ie the largest diameter of the recess in a direction perpendicular to the cylinder axis direction of the absorbent body, selected so that it is less than half of the diameter of the absorbent body. This limitation of the recess diameter is due to the realization that the tampon according to the in<patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US3343225A"><text>US 3,343,225</text></patcit> problems observed on compression of the tampon are due in the region of the depression, whereby the desired surface area and the desired improvement of the pumping speed is prevented during use. When the diameter of the recess according to the present invention to a value of less than 50% of the diameter of the absorbent body is set, a sufficient stability of the tampon can be ensured in the region of bearing the recess tip, so that the desired surface area enlargement and the thus reached improving the discharge of body fluid into the tampon core is reliably achieved even if the pad is subjected during use a Radialkraftbeaufschlagung.

p0014If the diameter is less than 20% of the Saugkörperdurchmessers, deterioration of the desired properties with regard to the introduction of body fluid in the absorbent core can be observed. In an enlargement of the diameter of the depression to a value of more than 40% of Saugkörperdurchmessers there are restrictions in the introduction of the tampon into the body cavity. The inventive funnel-shaped taper of the recess has proven both for manufacturing reasons and in view of the desired optimum utilization of the absorption properties of the tampon to be expedient.

p0015From the manufacturing point of view, it has proven to be advantageous when the inventively provided in the tampon tip recess has an at least 2-fold rotational symmetry with respect to an approximately collinear to the longitudinal axis of the absorbent body symmetry axis, ie, for example, rectangular. In view of a good utilization of the absorption characteristics of the tampon, it is particularly advantageous if the recess has a 3-fold symmetry with triangular cross section, a 4-fold symmetry of square cross section, and particularly preferably a rotational symmetry with a circular cross-section.

p0016In order to optimize the introduction of body fluid into the absorbent core of the absorbent body, it has proven to be expedient if the recess is at least 20% especially at least 50% of the axial length of the tip extends, preferably completely through tip in the axial direction and especially extends preferably starting from the circumferential edge over the top out into the absorbent core. Here, the diameter of the recess at its circumferential edge the cylinder axis approximately 10 to 45%, in particular 20 to 40%, preferably about 25 to 35% of the Saugkörperdurchmessers.

p0017By providing the recess in the pad to a reduction in the amount of absorbent material of tampons can give a total. In order to optimize the utilization of the absorption capacity, it has proved to be expedient if the volume of the recess 4% or less, preferably 2% or less, more preferably 1% or less, particularly 0.75% or less of the total volume of the tampon equivalent. Thus, the desired effect of improving the discharge of body fluid in the tampon core is still ensured, if the volume of the recess 0.1% or more, esp. 0.2% or more, preferably 0.5% or more of the total volume of the tampon corresponds to ,

p0018Similar to conventional tampons also an inventive tampon, a one lateral surface of the absorbent body covering shell material, such as a aufsiegelbares on cotton Hüllvlies or preferably perforated casing film, have, is the preventing tampon fibers are released from the tampon body when the tampon is expands within the absorption of body fluid. In the invention, employable are coating materials eg. In the<patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="DE69811114T2"><text>DE 69811114 T2</text></patcit>, of the <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="EP1194100B1"><text>EP 1194100 B1</text></patcit>, of the <patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="EP925050B1"><text>EP 925050 B1</text></patcit> and the <patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="US68860874B"><text>US 68860874</text></patcit> described. The disclosure of these documents is hereby incorporated by reference herein explicit about the nature of the envelope material in this description. Further may be provided in the outer surface of the absorbent body even in tampons of the invention two, three or more straight, wavy and / or helically extending grooves in order to improve the absorption properties. Typically, tampons are included for the transporting and storing in a plastic film. It regularly cellophane are used. In the present invention it has been found that the detachment of individual fibers in the region of the edge of the recess can be at the peeling of the packaging film well prevented from the tampon, when instead the usual cellophane an OPP film, which is a polypropylene film for packaging of the tampons is used.

p0019Conventional tampons are made by first Hüllvlies is sealed onto a cotton wool tape, so that the Hüllvlies extends over half the length of a cotton wool tape tab which is required for the production of a tampon and extends beyond the batting strip. During the next manufacturing step a lap roll is formed from the cotton strip in which the Hüllvlies forms an outer limiting surface of the reel, which can be overlapped to the cotton strip and sealed to a previous winding layer of Hüllvlieses, so as to form a circumferential outer boundary area of ​​the lap roll. Thereafter, the winding is pressed, in particular radially and / or linearly compressed so as to provide an approximately cylindrical absorbent body. During the radial compression also optionally be provided grooves are formed in the outer surface of the absorbent body. To complete the tampon of the already pressed tampon blank is introduced into molds of a dome shape means a shape corresponding to the desired dome shape.

p0020An inventive device for manufacturing a tampon according to the invention with a dome-forming device for forming a tip to a substantially cylindrical and already pressed tampon blank in which the dome-forming device includes at least a mold with a during the forming process in the cylinder axis direction of the blank in the blank insertable mandrel so to form the discharge of menstrual fluid in the Saugkörperkern favoring recess or the corresponding funnel-shaped introduction channel in the tampon tip, is substantially <b>characterized in that</b> the mold at least partially comprises an annular jacket with axially tapered inner diameter and an insertable into the jacket pin.

p0021The mold according to the invention is constructed accordingly modular. It is formed by the shell, the outer convex and the insertion of the tampon into the body cavity surface favoring the dome, while the recess is formed by the mandrel inserted into the shell, with the initiation of menses is favored in the Saugkörperkern. The modular structure can be achieved in that in a multi-step manufacturing process in which the absorbent body is sequentially inserted into a plurality of tools of one and the same shell different mandrel forms can be employed using. In the described modular mold of obtaining the desired dome shape can be particularly reliably ensured if between the tapered inner diameter region having the inner periphery of the shell and the mandrel, an annular gap is left free and the shell interior one on a mandrel remote from the axial end with preferably integrally sealed with the mandrel executed mandrel carrier. Optionally, the mandrel can extend axially through the mandrel base remote border of the mantle, so as to form a dome that completely penetrate and possibly over the crest projecting recess in the dome. As already indicated above, the dome-forming device two, three or more dies may have, in which the blanks are successively introduced during the forming process.

p0022In view of the simplification of the manufacturing process, the use of several shaping tools, these are expediently arranged on a common carrier which is rotatably supported with respect to a rotational axis, said shaping tool being arranged on a rotational axis circumferential circular line. Then, the mold can be obtained by rotating the support in the blank opposite position are brought and are initiated by an axial relative movement between the blank and mold the desired shaping process.

p0023An inventive mold for an apparatus according to the invention is substantially <b>characterized in that</b> it comprises an annular shell with a mandrel inserted therein, wherein the mandrel is expediently added interchangeably in the jacket. A tampon according to the invention, as the above explanation is given, prepared in which a substantially cylindrical and radially already and / or linear pressed tampon blank is introduced in an inventive mold in the axial direction.

p0024The invention will be described with reference to the drawings, reference is expressly made to the terms of all essential to the invention and in the description unspecified exposed details, explained.

p0025In the drawings:<dl id="dl0001"><dt><b>Fig.</b></dt><dd><b>1</b> a schematic illustration of a tampon according to the invention,</dd><dt><b>FIG. 2</b></dt><dd>a schematic representation of a device according to the invention for producing the tampon according to the invention and</dd><dt><b>Fig. 3</b></dt><dd>schematic representations of inventive mold.</dd></dl>

p0026According to <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> comprises the tampon according to the invention a generally designated 10 essentially cylindrical absorbent body, the one located at one of its axial ends toward one axial end of tapered tip 12th The absorbent body 10 comprises a number of mutually parallel and parallel to the cylinder axis A of the absorbent body extending grooves 14 in its outer surface. In the apex region of the dome 12 a extending from a cylinder axis A peripheral edge 22 toward a the tip 12 remote from axial end 11 of the absorbent body 10 extending funnel-shaped depression 20 formed, which in the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing rotationally symmetrical with respect to the cylinder axis A is performed. As particularly apparent of<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1B</figref> It is apparent from the cross section of the recess 20 tapers from the edge 22 towards the the cusp 11 facing away from the axial end of the suction 10th

p0027The diameter "d" of the groove at its vertex region facing edge (22), ie, the maximum diameter of the recess in a perpendicular to the cylinder axis "A" extending direction, the invention is in the embodiment shown in the drawing about 30% of Saugkörperdurchmessers ,

p0028tampons according <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> can use the below with reference to <figref idrefs="f0002 f0003">FIG. 2</figref> explained devices are manufactured. According to<figref idrefs="f0002 f0003">FIG. 2</figref> first, a cotton strip 100 drawn in the manufacture of a tampon according to the invention in a tampon machine and cut with a cotton knife 102 required to produce the individual tampons length as shown in <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2A</figref> with reference to the dashed lines 100a indicated.

p0029After cutting of the lap belt to cotton wool strip with the required length of a Hüllvlies 104 having about half the length of the cotton strip offset by half the length of a cotton wool tape strip under pressure and heat with the help of a sealing jaw 106 is sealed onto the cotton wool tape 100. The Hüllvlies protrudes in longitudinal direction over the cotton strip on which it is sealed. In a next manufacturing step a retrieval suture 108 is wound and knotted to the cotton strip 100 as shown in<figref idrefs="f0002">FIG. 2b</figref> shown. The cotton strip 100 is rolled into a so-called winding, in such a way that the projecting beyond the batting strip area of ​​the Hüllvlies rests on the winding and can be sealed to the preceding Hüllvlies-wrapping location. For this purpose a sealing jaw 110 is used, as in<figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 2c</figref> schematically indicated.

p0030The prepared lap roll 120 is passed to an open press 122, as in <figref idrefs="f0003">Fig. 2d</figref> indicated. By closing the press 122 a blank with grooves and corresponding diameter (depending on the size, z. B. Mini, Normal, Super ...) and other adjustable parameters is pressed.

p0031After gently lifted, the press 120 of the pressed and substantially cylindrical ingot thus obtained is pressed with a pusher rearward from the press and passed to a tube drum 124th In a head drum 125, the blank is pressed with plungers 126 in a predetermined order in the form of tools of a dome shape means. Depending on the desired dome shape, and design of the tampon 128 4 to 12 same or different mold are built into the dome shape means.

p0032The present invention in an apparatus for producing tampons according to the invention for use next molds are below with reference to <figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 3</figref> explained. Thereafter, the molding tools designated in total with 200 on an annular jacket 210 and a mandrel assembly 220th The mandrel assembly comprises a mandrel 222 and a mandrel support 224. The sheath 210 has an inner boundary surface 212 with at least partially tapered in the axial direction inside diameter. Overall, the sheath 210 is rotationally symmetrical. The mandrel 222 is introduced in such a way into the shell 210, that between the tapered inner diameter containing region of the inner periphery 212 of the sheath and the mandrel, an annular gap is left free and remote from the casing interior at its mandrel 222 axial end to the piece with the mandrel 222 formed mandrel support 224 is closed. According to<figref idrefs="f0004">Fig. 3a</figref> can be used when using identical executed shell elements 210 differently designed mandrels. It can be used for a long, soon, thicker or thinner mandrels or pins with cylindrical, domed or wavy course, the mandrel shape corresponding to the desired shape of the recess 20 is selected in the top of the tampon. According to<figref idrefs="f0004">FIG. 3b</figref> the tampon blank in the axial direction is introduced into the mold 200, so that the spike 222 penetrates in the axial direction into the tampon while the outer dome ring. In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawing, the volume of the recess is from the circumferential edge 22 to the crest 12 facing away from the axial end 11 of the absorbent body facing the bottom about 0.54% of the total volume of the tampon. The diameter of the recess may be starting taper from a rim diameter in the range of about 5 mm if necessary over several stages and phase out the recess in a tip, as particularly evident in<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1B</figref> can be seen, so that a channel opening into a funnel is formed through which menstrual fluid in the core of the absorbent body 10 can be initiated.

p0033The invention is not limited to the method explained with reference to the drawing embodiment. Rather, tampons of different shapes of the grooves is also thought to use 14 and / or different cross-sectional shape of the recess 20th It can occur with any recesses, in particular triangular, square or rectangular cross-section are used. In the above-reference to the drawings embodiment of the invention the recess 20 passes through the dome 12 completely. In other embodiments of the invention, the depression 20 may extend over the top out into the Saugkörperkern. In some cases it is also advantageous if the recess 20 passes through only a portion of the dome 12th For manufacturing inventive tampon tampon blanks are inserted into an inventive mold. In this case, the recess can be carried out in several steps, by the tampon blank is carried out sequentially in the same or differently designed molds. The molds can be arranged on a mold tool drum, which is brought by rotation about an axis of rotation in a tampon opposite position, so that the tampon can be inserted by relative axial movement between the forming tool and the blank in succession in different molds.