JP5460187B2 - Tampon manufacturing method and tampon manufacturing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tampon manufacturing method and a tampon manufacturing apparatus.

  Some tampon having an absorber that absorbs liquid such as menstrual blood has a preparation coated on the outer surface of the absorber (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When manufacturing such a tampon, for example, the absorbent body is rotated in a recess filled with a lubricant as a preparation to adhere the lubricant to the outer surface of the absorbent body.

Japanese Patent Publication No.56-32933

However, a tampon to which a preparation such as a lubricant is attached is packaged or incorporated into an insertion aid, and is therefore transported or passed to the next process. When transported or delivered, there is a problem that the device may become dirty due to the diffusion or accumulation of the lubricant.
This invention is made | formed in view of this subject, The place made into the objective is to provide the manufacturing method of a tampon, and the manufacturing apparatus of a tampon which an apparatus etc. are hard to get dirty with a formulation.

The main invention for achieving the above object is:
A tampon manufacturing method comprising: an absorber that absorbs liquid; an outer cylinder member that accommodates the absorber in a relatively movable manner; and a moving member that moves the absorber relative to the outer cylinder member. There,
An insertion step of inserting the moving member from an opening of the outer cylinder member;
An arrangement step of arranging the absorber such that a part of the absorber is accommodated in the outer cylinder member through the opening and the other part of the absorber is exposed from the outer cylinder member;
An attaching step of attaching the preparation to the other part of the absorbent body exposed from the outer cylinder member;
An accommodating step of accommodating the other part to which the preparation is attached in the outer cylinder member through the opening;
It is a manufacturing method of the tampon characterized by having.

  Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the manufacturing method of a tampon and the manufacturing apparatus of a tampon which an apparatus etc. are hard to get dirty with a formulation are implement | achieved.

3 is a cross-sectional view showing components of the tampon 10. FIG. 1 is an external view of a tampon main body 20. FIG. 3 is an external view of an outer cylinder member 40. FIG. It is the figure which looked at the outer cylinder member 40 shown in FIG. 3 from the front end side. FIG. 5 is a view showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon main body 20. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the manufacturing apparatus of a tampon from the front. It is the schematic diagram which looked at the manufacturing apparatus of a tampon from the upper part. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a tampon holding and moving unit that relatively moves the tampon body 20 and the applicator 30. FIG. FIG. 9A is a diagram for explaining a preparation attaching process, FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a state in which the tampon is held by a holding table, and FIG. 9B is a diagram in which the non-rear end portion 20b of the tampon body is exposed from the applicator. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a state in which the preparation is attached to the tampon body, FIG. 9D is a view showing a state in which the preparation is attached to the tampon body, and FIG. 9E is a view showing the tampon body to which the preparation is attached. It is a figure which shows the state accommodated in the applicator. It is a figure for demonstrating the holding mechanism of the extraction string. It is a figure which shows the modification of a tampon manufacturing apparatus. It is a figure which shows the modification of a contact part.

  At least the following matters will become clear from the description of the present specification and the accompanying drawings.

A tampon manufacturing method comprising: an absorber that absorbs liquid; an outer cylinder member that accommodates the absorber in a relatively movable manner; and a moving member that moves the absorber relative to the outer cylinder member. An insertion step of inserting the moving member from the opening of the outer cylinder member, a part of the absorber is accommodated in the outer cylinder member through the opening, and the other part of the absorber is the An arrangement step of arranging the absorber so as to be exposed from the outer cylinder member, an attachment step of attaching the preparation to the other portion of the absorber exposed from the outer cylinder member, and the preparation attached And a housing step of housing the other portion in the outer cylinder member through the opening.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, when the preparation is attached to the absorbent body, a part of the absorbent body is accommodated in the outer cylinder member, so that the preparation is attached while the absorbent body is stable. It is possible. Further, when the other part to which the preparation is adhered in the accommodating step is accommodated in the outer cylinder member, the absorber is easily accommodated in the outer cylinder member because the part is already accommodated through the opening that is accommodated. It can be accommodated, and scattering of the preparation due to accommodation of the absorber can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the absorbent body to which the preparation is attached is accommodated in the outer cylinder member and is transported and delivered, it is possible to provide a method for producing a tampon in which the apparatus or the like is not easily soiled by the preparation.

In this tampon manufacturing method, it is preferable that the other portion is accommodated in the outer cylinder member after a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the preparation was attached.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, the other part to which the preparation is attached is accommodated in the outer cylinder member after a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the preparation is absorbed in comparison with the case where the preparation is immediately accommodated. It is possible to reliably adhere to other parts of the tube and to suppress adhesion to the outer cylinder member.

In this tampon manufacturing method, the predetermined time is preferably a time until the surface of the preparation adhered to the absorbent body is dried.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, when the other part is accommodated in the outer cylinder member, since at least the surface of the preparation is dry, the preparation is reliably attached to the other part of the absorbent body. It is possible to prevent adhesion to the outer cylinder member. Moreover, since the surface is only dry, it is possible to set a predetermined time, that is, the time until it is accommodated in the outer cylinder member, and it is possible to provide a highly productive tampon manufacturing method. is there. Here, in a state where at least the surface of the preparation is dry, for example, after mixing with a reagent having a melting point slightly higher than body temperature and midsummer temperature, the temperature is lower than the preparation temperature at the time of application. It also includes a solidified state exposed to the outside air.

In this tampon manufacturing method, it is preferable that the absorber is transported between the attaching step and the containing step in a state where the other portion is exposed from the outer cylinder member.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, since the other part to which the preparation is attached is conveyed in an exposed state, it is easy to dry, and it is possible to shorten the time until the next process is started. .

In this tampon manufacturing method, the absorbent body has a string extending from the part, and the moving member has a cylindrical shape and is engaged with the outer cylinder member so as to be relatively movable, In the attaching step, the absorber is brought into contact with the moving member in the outer cylinder member, and the string inserted through the moving member is pulled from the outside of the moving member, thereby the absorber. Is desirable to be retained.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, in the attaching step, the string that is extended from the absorbent body and inserted through the movable member is held by being pulled from the outside of the movable member. It is possible to attach the formulation to other parts of the absorbent body in the state. Moreover, since the member with which the tampon is provided also serves as a mechanism for holding the absorber, it is possible to stabilize the absorber without providing a complicated mechanism.

In this tampon manufacturing method, it is desirable that in the attaching step, the absorber is held between the contact portion that contacts the other portion of the absorber and the moving member.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, when the preparation is attached to other parts of the absorbent body, the absorbent body is held, so that the preparation is attached while the absorbent body is more stable. It is possible.

In this tampon manufacturing method, the outer cylinder member is divided into a plurality of peripheral wall portions by a plurality of cuts formed on the opening side at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction. It is desirable to have a bending step of bending the plurality of peripheral wall portions of the outer cylinder member in which other portions are accommodated toward the inner side of the outer cylinder member.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, the plurality of peripheral wall portions of the outer cylinder member in which other parts are accommodated in the accommodating process are curved inward of the outer cylinder member in the curving process. It is possible to hold the absorber to which the is attached to the outer cylinder member.

In this tampon manufacturing method, it is desirable that in the arranging step, the other part of the absorber accommodated in the outer cylinder member is arranged so as to be exposed from the outer cylinder member.
According to such a tampon manufacturing method, in the arranging step, after the absorber is accommodated in the outer cylinder member, the other part is arranged so as to be exposed from the outer cylinder member. It is possible to hold the absorber more reliably and in parallel with the outer cylinder member than when only a part of the absorber is inserted from the outside of the tube and the other part is exposed from the outer cylinder member.

In addition, a tampon comprising an absorber that absorbs liquid, an outer cylinder member that accommodates the absorber in a relatively movable manner, and a moving member that moves the absorber relative to the outer cylinder member. In the apparatus, a part of the absorber is accommodated in the outer cylinder member into which the moving member is inserted through the opening of the outer cylinder member, and the other part of the absorber is the outer cylinder member. An arrangement unit that arranges the absorbent body so as to be exposed from, an attachment unit that attaches the preparation to the other portion of the absorbent body exposed from the outer cylinder member, and the other part to which the preparation is attached A tampon manufacturing apparatus comprising: a housing unit that houses a portion in the outer cylindrical member through the opening.

In the manufacturing apparatus, the opening side of the outer cylinder member is divided into a plurality of peripheral wall portions by a plurality of notches formed at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction, and the plurality of peripheral wall portions are separated from the outer cylindrical member. It is desirable to have a heating unit that heats the cylindrical member by bending it inward, and a cooling unit that cools the plurality of peripheral wall portions while maintaining the curved state.
According to such a tampon manufacturing apparatus, the plurality of peripheral wall portions of the outer cylindrical member in which the other part is accommodated are heated by the heating unit and bent to the inner side of the outer cylindrical member, and are cooled by the cooling unit. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the absorbent body to which the preparation is attached from coming out of the outer cylinder member.

=== About the structure of the tampon ===
First, the configuration of the tampon 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing components of the tampon 10. FIG. 2 is an external view of the tampon main body 20. FIG. 3 is an external view of the outer cylinder member 40. FIG. 4 is a view of the outer cylinder member 40 shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from the distal end side. In the following description, in the longitudinal direction of the tampon 10, the side inserted into the vaginal cavity is referred to as the front end, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear end.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the tampon 10 of this embodiment includes a tampon body 20 as an example of an absorber, an outer cylinder member 40 that houses the tampon body 20, and the tampon body 20 with respect to the outer cylinder member 40. And an applicator 30 including a moving member 50 for relative movement. Here, the applicator 30 is an auxiliary tool for facilitating the introduction of the tampon body 20 into the vaginal cavity.

  The tampon main body 20 closes the vaginal cavity and absorbs liquid such as menstrual blood. The tampon body 20 is formed by covering an absorbent body (cotton body) made of rayon fibers with a cover body made of a polyester spunbonded nonwoven fabric, and has a substantially bullet shape.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the preparation M is attached to the outer surface 21 of the tampon body 20 in a ring shape so as to surround the outer periphery at a plurality of positions spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the tampon body 20. . The thickness of the preparation M attached to the outer surface 21 of the tampon body 20 is, for example, about 50 μm.

  This preparation M is a light brown coloring substance (colored substance) which is administered into the vaginal cavity to have an antioxidant action, an anti-inflammatory action, an antibacterial action, an antiviral action, an antiallergic action, and a deodorizing action. As an example of a pine bark extract (flavangenol manufactured by Toyo Shinyaku Co., Ltd.) as an example of a medicinal ingredient that exerts a vasodilatory action, a lipid peroxidation inhibitory action, etc. and an example of a water-soluble carrier carrying the pine bark extract It is a mixture with polyethylene glycol.

  More specifically, the preparation M according to the present embodiment has polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1500 as an example of a water-soluble carrier (polyethylene glycol). The melting point (freezing point) of polyethylene glycol is about 38 degrees to 41 degrees, which is a temperature that exceeds the body temperature (37 degrees). In the preparation M in the present embodiment, the pine bark extract is mixed at 20 weight percent, and polyethylene glycol is mixed at 80 weight percent. That is, polyethylene glycol is the main component in the preparation M. Thus, this preparation M is solidified by being mixed with a reagent having a melting point slightly higher than body temperature and air temperature, and then being exposed to the outside air at a temperature lower than that at the time of application.

  An extraction string 22 as an example of a string is sewn to the tampon body 20 according to the present embodiment. The take-out string 22 is a cotton twisted yarn. The take-out string 22 extends from the rear end side of the tampon main body 20, and is pulled by a user of the tampon 10 or the like when the tampon main body 20 in the vaginal cavity is pulled out of the vaginal cavity. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the take-out string 22 passes through the inside of the applicator 30, that is, the inside of the cylindrical outer cylinder member 40 and the moving member 50, and is pulled out from the rear end of the moving member 50 constituting the applicator 30. ing. That is, a part of the take-out string 22 is exposed to the outside from the rear end of the moving member 50 constituting the applicator 30.

  The outer cylinder member 40 is for accommodating the tampon main body 20 so as to be relatively movable. The outer cylinder member 40 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded using a thermoplastic resin (polyethylene resin in the present embodiment), and has appropriate flexibility. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer cylinder member 40 has a large-diameter portion 41 located on the distal end side, an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 41, and a rear side opposite to the distal end side. And a small-diameter portion 42 located on the end side (note that the large-diameter portion 41 is also larger than the small-diameter portion 42 with respect to the outer diameter). That is, the outer diameter (inner diameter) of the front end portion of the outer cylinder member 40 is larger than the outer diameter (inner diameter) of the rear end portion. Thus, an annular step 47 is formed between the large diameter portion 41 and the small diameter portion 42.

  The large-diameter portion 41 is a portion mainly serving to house the tampon main body 20 inside the outer cylinder member 40. That is, in the tampon 10 according to the present embodiment, the tampon body 20 is accommodated only in the large diameter portion 41 of the large diameter portion 41 and the small diameter portion 42. For this reason, the length of the large diameter portion 41 in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder member 40 is longer than the length of the tampon body 20 in the longitudinal direction. The large diameter portion 41 is a portion that is inserted into the vaginal cavity in a state in which the tampon body 20 is accommodated when the tampon 10 is used.

  The large-diameter portion 41 of the outer cylinder member 40 is divided into a plurality of peripheral wall portions by forming a plurality of cuts 43a on the opening at the front end (hereinafter referred to as a front end opening 43) at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction. Has been. The outer cylinder member 40 of the present embodiment is divided into six equal parts in the circumferential direction, and has petal-like portions 44 as six peripheral walls. Each of the six petal-like portions 44 is bent in an arc shape inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder member 40 as shown in FIG. Therefore, when the outer cylinder member 40 is inserted into the vaginal cavity, the distal end portion of the outer cylinder member 40 has a substantially hemispherical shape as shown in FIGS. It is substantially closed as shown. Then, when the tampon main body 20 is pushed out from the tip opening 43 by the moving member 50 described later, the six petal-like portions 44 are pushed out by the tampon main body 20 and the tip opening 43 is opened.

  The small-diameter portion 42 functions as a guide for guiding the moving member 50 when the moving member 50 provided so as to be relatively movable moves inside. The small diameter portion 42 is also a portion that is gripped by the user when the tampon 10 is mounted. On the rear end side of the small diameter portion 42, an enlarged diameter portion 46 that is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 42 is provided.

  The moving member 50 is for relatively moving in the outer cylinder member 40 to push the tampon main body 20 out of the outer cylinder member 40 from the tip opening 43. The moving member 50 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 40, and is located on the rear end side of the tampon body 20 in the outer cylinder member 40.

  When the moving member 50 is engaged with the outer cylinder member 40 so as to be relatively movable, the moving member 50 is outside the portion located in the small-diameter portion 42 of the outer cylinder member 40 at the tip that is in contact with the tampon body 20. A locking portion 51 having a large diameter is provided. When the moving member 50 is pulled to the rear end side, the locking portion 51 is locked by coming into contact with the stepped portion 47 of the outer cylinder member 40 so that the moving member 50 does not come out of the outer cylinder member 40. It is configured. In addition, an annular protrusion 52 that slightly protrudes in the outer peripheral direction is provided at the rear end of the moving member 50. The annular protrusion 52 is configured to abut against the end of the small-diameter portion 42 of the outer cylinder member 40 when the moving member 50 is pushed to the distal end side, so that the moving member 50 does not come out of the outer cylinder member 40. .

  And it moves relatively along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder member 40, and pushes the tampon main body 20 toward the front-end | tip opening 43 from back. Thereby, the tampon main body 20 is pushed out of the outer cylinder member 40 while pushing each of the plurality of petal-like portions 44 outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder member 40, that is, while opening the tip opening 43. Thus, the moving member 50 has a function of moving inside the outer cylinder member 40 and pushing the tampon main body 20 out of the outer cylinder member 40.

=== About the manufacturing method of the tampon 10 ===
Next, the manufacturing method which manufactures the tampon 10 mentioned above is demonstrated using FIG. 5 thru | or FIG.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon main body 20. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the tampon manufacturing apparatus viewed from the front. FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the tampon manufacturing apparatus as viewed from above. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a moving device that relatively moves the tampon body 20 and the applicator 30. FIG. 9 is a view for explaining a preparation attaching process. FIG. 9A is a view showing a state where the tampon is held on the holding table, and FIG. FIG. 9C is a diagram showing a state where the preparation is attached to the tampon body, FIG. 9D is a view showing a state where the preparation is attached to the tampon body, and FIG. 9E is a view showing the state where the preparation is attached. It is a figure which shows the state in which the made tampon main body was accommodated in the applicator. In addition, the clamp 121d is abbreviate | omitted and shown in B arrow view of FIG. 9C, and C arrow view of FIG. 9E. FIG. 10 is a view for explaining a holding mechanism for the take-out string 22.
In the tampon 10, the tampon main body 20 and the applicator 30 constituting the tampon 10 are manufactured and assembled in separate processes.

Here, first, a process for manufacturing the tampon main body 20 (more precisely, the tampon main body 20 with the extraction string 22) will be described.
As shown in FIG. 6, the tampon manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a compression molding drum 102 that forms an absorbent material 60 that is a base material of the tampon body 20, a heating drum 104 that heats the absorbent material 60, and the tampon body 20. A transport mechanism 105 that transports the tampon body 20 into the outer cylinder member 40, and a transport mechanism 105 that transports the transported tampon body 20 to the outer cylinder member 40. A transport drum unit 106 that supports and transports the tampon 10 in which the tampon body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40; an attachment unit 107 that attaches the preparation M to the tampon body 20 of the tampon 10 to be transported; and the tampon body 20 The heating drum 108 that bends and heats the petal-like portion 44 of the distal end opening 43 of the accommodated outer cylinder member 40, and the petal-like portion 44 that is curved. And the cooling drum 109 so that cooling is maintained, and a. The outer cylinder member 40 and the moving member 50 are molded, for example, an injection molding apparatus, an insertion apparatus (not shown) for inserting the moving member 50 into the outer cylinder member 40, the outer cylinder member 40, the moving member 50, and the applicator 30. An apparatus (not shown) for conveying and supplying may be incorporated as a part of the tampon manufacturing apparatus 100, but the applicator 30 may be assembled in a separate process and supplied to the tampon manufacturing apparatus 100.

  In the manufacturing process S1 of the tampon main body 20, first, the absorbent main body in which the absorbent fibers mainly composed of rayon are laminated is covered with a cover body (wrapped with the cover body). Then, the absorber main body covered with the cover body is cut into a predetermined shape and size to form an absorber material 60 that becomes a base material of the tampon main body 20. In this step, the take-out string 22 is sewn to the absorbent material 60.

  Next, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the absorbent material 60 is compression molded by the compression molding drum 102. That is, the compression molding drum 102 is a rotatable drum-type unit, and includes a plurality of (eight in the present embodiment) holding portions 102a radially. The absorber material 60 is inserted into the holding portion 102a one after another at the first position P1 (FIG. 6), and the absorber material 60 inserted into the holding portion 102a is accompanied by the rotation of the compression molding drum 102. Then, it rotates and moves to the second position P2 (FIG. 6). During the rotational movement, the absorbent body material 60 is compressed in the diameter direction in the holding portion 102a and is formed into a substantially cylindrical shape.

  Next, the absorber material 60 formed into a cylindrical shape by the compression molding drum 102 is heated by the heating drum 104. That is, the heating drum 104 is a rotatable drum-type unit whose temperature is controlled to, for example, 110 degrees (preferably a temperature of 100 degrees to 180 degrees), and a large number of holding portions 104a are spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Prepared. Then, the absorber material 60 is successively delivered from the holding portion 102a of the compression molding drum 102 to the holding portion 104a of the heating drum 104 by pushing a pusher (not shown) at the second position P2 (FIG. 6). The absorber material 60 delivered to the holding unit 104a moves to the third position P3 (FIG. 6) as the heating drum 104 rotates while being heated in the holding unit 104a. Note that the holding portion 104 a is a through-hole having substantially the same shape as the diameter of the tampon main body 20, and the heat of the heating drum 104 is effectively transmitted to the absorbent material 60. When the absorber material 60 is delivered from the compression molding drum 102 to the heating drum 104, the tampon body 20 is formed by molding the absorber material 60 into a bullet shape in which the tip of the absorber material 60 forms a curved surface. The tampon body 20 is transported by the transport mechanism 105 to the insertion position where it is inserted into the applicator 30 while being cooled.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the transport mechanism 105 includes two conveyors 105a and 105b each having an endless belt that moves in the same direction. The first conveyor 105a is arranged in a direction crossing the rotation axis of the heating drum 104, that is, in parallel with the heating drum 104, and maintains the orientation in which the tampon main body 20 pushed out from the holding portion 104a is almost pushed out. It is arrange | positioned so that it may be conveyed. The second conveyor 105b is arranged in parallel with the first conveyor 105a, and is arranged so that the end side in the transport direction of the first conveyor 105a and the start end side in the transport direction of the second conveyor 105b are aligned. The applicator 30 in which the moving member 50 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 40 is supplied to the start end side of the second conveyor 105b. The tampon main body 20 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 40 and accommodated at a position where the end of the first conveyor 105a and the start of the second conveyor 105b are arranged.

  The applicator 30 is manufactured on a separate line from the tampon body 20. For example, the outer cylinder member 40 and the moving member 50 are supplied by being molded by injection molding or the like with a resin such as polyethylene. The molded moving member 50 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 40 to complete the applicator 30. At this time, the moving member 50 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 40 from the distal end opening 43 of the outer cylinder member 40 (S3: insertion step). The moving member 50 inserted into the outer cylinder member 40 has a rear end protruding from the rear end opening 45 of the outer cylinder member 40 and a locking portion 51 locked to the inner wall surface of the step portion 47 of the outer cylinder member 40. It becomes.

  Next, the assembled applicator 30 is supplied to the second conveyor 105b of the 105 transport mechanism, and the tampon main body 20 is inserted. The assembled applicator 30 is supplied in a state where the six petal-like portions 44 forming the distal end opening 43 of the outer cylinder member 40 are spread outward, that is, bent so that the distal end of the distal end opening 43 opens. The

  The tampon body 20 is inserted from the rear end side into the applicator 30 in which the front end opening 43 is widened. At this time, the tampon main body 20 is inserted into the tip opening 43 of the applicator 30 while being pressed so that the take-out string 22 of the tampon main body 20 precedes. When the tampon main body 20 is pressed, that is, when the tampon main body 20 is inserted into the outer cylinder member 40, air is sucked from the rear end side of the moving member 50. Thereby, when the tampon main body 20 moves toward the outer cylinder member 40, the take-out string 22 of the tampon main body 20 is sucked to the rear end side of the moving member 50. As a result, the tampon main body 20 can be inserted into the outer cylinder member 40 without loosening the take-out string 22. When the tampon main body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40, the take-out string 22 is pulled out from the opening at the rear end of the moving member 50 inserted into the outer cylinder member 40, that is, from the rear end of the applicator 30. .

  The tampon main body 20 inserted into the applicator 30 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 with its rear end abutting on the locking part 51 of the moving member 50 abutted on the step 47 of the outer cylinder member 40. At this time, the petaloid portion 44 of the outer cylinder member 40 is not bent inward, that is, without closing the distal end opening 43 of the outer cylinder member 40, the tampon body 20 inserted into the applicator 30 has two relay rollers. It is supplied to the transport drum unit 106 via 101.

  In the transport drum unit 106, a plurality of tampon holding and moving units 120 are arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating drum body 106a. The plurality of tampon holding and moving units 120 have a function of holding the tampon 10 supplied from the transport mechanism 105 and relatively moving the applicator 30 and the tampon main body 20, and a direction along the rotation axis of the drum main body 106a. It is made to project. At this time, the direction in which the applicator 30 and the tampon main body 20 move relative to each other coincides with the direction along the rotation axis of the drum main body 106a.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the tampon holding and moving unit 120 has a holding table 121 that holds the outer cylinder member 40 of the tampon 10, and the outer cylinder member 40 held by the holding table 121 and the tampon main body 20 relatively move. A moving air cylinder 122 for moving the holding base 121 in a direction (hereinafter referred to as a relative movement direction) and a string holding mechanism 123 for holding the take-out string 22 of the held tampon 10 are provided.

  The holding stand 121 is provided at the front end of the piston rod 122b of the moving air cylinder 122. The holding surface 121a on which the tampon 10 is held is provided on the front end side and the rear end side of the outer cylinder member 40. Two pairs of restricting protrusions 121b and 121c for restricting rolling are provided. Of the two pairs of regulating projections 121b and 121c, the regulating projection 121c on the rear end side is spanned between the regulating projections 121c that make a pair to hold the tampon 10 arranged between the regulating projections 121c. A releasable clamp 121d is provided. In addition, a small-diameter portion 42 of the outer cylinder member 40 is disposed on the rear-end-side restricting protrusion 121 c, and the stepped portion 47 and the enlarged-diameter portion 46 of the outer cylinder member 40 make the relative relative to the holding base 121 of the outer cylinder member 40. Movement in the moving direction is restricted. That is, the outer cylinder member 40 is configured to move together with the holding base 121. Further, when the front end of the outer cylinder member 40 held by the holding base 121 and the front end of the holding base 121 are substantially at the same position, and the tampon main body 20 is exposed from the outer cylindrical member 40, the tampon main body 20 is It is configured to protrude to the tip side from 121.

  Two support rollers 124 are provided at the tip of the holding table 121. The support roller 124 is configured to support the tampon main body 20 that is exposed from the outer cylinder member 40 and protrudes from the holding base 121 toward the front end side.

  The moving air cylinder 122 has a main body portion 122a provided with a cylinder tube, and a piston unit 122c in which a piston movable in the cylinder tube and a piston rod 122b are integrally formed. The holding stand 121 and the piston are connected. The main body 122a is fixed to the drum main body 106a of the transport drum unit 106, and rotates together with the drum main body 106a.

  A string holding mechanism 123 is attached to the main body 122a. The string holding mechanism 123 includes a string holding air cylinder 123a and a string holding portion 123g. The string holding air cylinder 123a has a cylinder part 123b and a rod part 123c, and an opening 123d is provided in a string holding part 123g provided at one end of the cylinder part 123b in the moving direction of the rod part 123c. It has been. The opening 123d has a tapered portion 123e that spreads from the outside to the inside. In the normal state, the rod portion 123c is urged to one side by the coil spring 123h, and the tip of the rod portion 123c is pressed against the tapered portion 123e by the urging force to close the opening 123d.

  When the air in the cylinder tube 123f of the string holding air cylinder 123a is sucked, the rod portion 123c is pulled to the other side, a gap is created between the opening 123d and the rod portion 123c, and the outside air is opened to the opening 123d. It is sucked into the cylinder tube 123f from between the rod part 123c. The string holding mechanism 123 is provided on the rear end side of the tampon 10 supported by the holding base 121, and is arranged so that the center of the tampon main body 20 and the opening 123d are located on a substantially straight line.

  The tampon 10 supplied from the transport mechanism 105 and having the tampon main body 20 inserted into the applicator 30 is transferred to the holding table 121 in one of the tampon holding and moving units 120 of the rotating transport drum unit 106. At this time, air is supplied to the moving air cylinder 122, and the holding stand 121 protrudes away from the main body 122a as shown in FIG. 9A. When the tampon 10 is delivered to the holding stand 121, the clamp 121d is closed and the tampon 10 is held. At this time, since the tampon main body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40, the locking portion 51 of the moving member 50 is brought into contact with the stepped portion 47, and the moving member 50 is moved from the outer cylinder member 40 to the rear end side. It is protruding. For this reason, when the tampon 10 is held by the holding stand 121, the rear end of the moving member 50 is close to the opening 123d of the string holding air cylinder 123a.

  When the tampon 10 is held by the holding stand 121, the air in the string holding air cylinder 123a is sucked, and the rod portion 123c is separated from the tapered portion 123e as shown in FIG. 10, and the tapered portion 123e and the rod portion 123c The suction string 22 of the tampon 10 being held is drawn into the cylinder tube 123f from the opening 123d by the air sucked from the gap. When the take-out string 22 is pulled through the opening 123d, the suction of air from the cylinder tube 123f is stopped, and the rod portion 123c is pressed against the tapered portion 123e by the urging force of the coil spring 123h. At this time, the take-out string 22 is sandwiched and held between the rod portion 123c and the tapered portion 123e.

  The drum body 106a continues to rotate, and the tampon 10 is conveyed toward the attachment position P4 to which the preparation M is attached. While the tampon 10 is being conveyed, the air in the cylinder tube of the moving air cylinder 122 is sucked. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9B, the holding stand 121 is pulled toward the main body 122a side. At this time, the outer cylinder member 40 held by the holding stand 121 is also drawn toward the main body 122a side. On the other hand, the tampon body 20 does not move because the moving member 50 is interposed between the ends of the string holding air cylinder 123a. For this reason, the tampon main body 20 is exposed from the outer cylinder member 40 by the relative movement of the tampon main body 20 and the outer cylinder member 40. At this time, the rear end portion 20a as a part of the tampon main body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 through the front end opening 43, and the non-rear end portion 20b as the other portion excluding the rear end portion is exposed. (S4: placement step). Further, the tampon main body 20 protruding from the holding base 121 toward the front end side is supported by a support roller 124 provided at the front end of the holding base 121.

The tampon 10 conveyed by the rotation of the drum body 106a reaches the attachment position P4 of the preparation M in a state where the rear end portion 20a of the tampon body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 and the non-rear end portion 20b is exposed. .
At the attachment position P4 of the preparation M, an attachment unit 107 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the drum body 106a.

  The adhering unit 107 is a container 107a in which the preparation M is accommodated, an adhering roller 107b for adhering the preparation M to the tampon body 20, and a preparation unit provided in the accommodating part 107a to supply the preparation M to the adhering roller 107b. The two supply rollers 107c are provided. The two supply rollers 107c and the adhesion roller 107b are arranged in a row and rotate while being in contact with each other. Only the adhesion roller 107b is disposed and driven outside the housing portion 107a, and the supply roller 107c is driven by the adhesion roller 107b. For this reason, when the adhesion roller 107b rotates, the supply roller 107c in the accommodating part 107a rotates, and the preparation M adhering to the surface is sequentially supplied to the adhesion roller 107b.

  The adhesion roller 107b is disposed at a position facing the non-rear end portion 20b of the tampon main body 20 where the tampon 10 conveyed by the conveyance drum unit 106 is exposed. The rotation of the drum main body 106a results in the adhesion position P4. It is comprised so that the tampon main body 20 of the moved tampon 10 may be contacted. For this reason, when the tampon 10 is conveyed to the drum body 106a and reaches the attachment position P4, as shown in FIG. 9C, the tampon 10 is held between the attachment roller 107b and the support roller 124 and is rotated by the attachment roller 107b to be circumferential. The preparation M is attached to the surface (S5: attachment step).

  As shown in FIG. 9D, the tampon 10 to which the preparation M is adhered is conveyed for a predetermined time while the non-rear end portion 20b of the tampon main body 20 is exposed from the outer cylinder member 40 by the rotation of the drum main body 106a. The predetermined time is set to be equal to or longer than the time for drying the surface of the attached preparation M, for example. During this conveyance, the preparation M is exposed to the outside air at a temperature lower than the temperature of the preparation M at the time of coating and solidifies, so that at least the surface is in a dry state.

  When the preparation M is attached and conveyed for a predetermined time, air is supplied to the moving air cylinder 122, and the holding base 121 protrudes in a direction away from the main body 122a. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9E, the outer cylinder member 40 held by the holding table 121 also moves together with the holding table 121, so that the outer cylinder member 40 covers the non-rear end portion 20 b of the tampon body 20. It moves and the tampon main body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 (S6: accommodation process). At this time, since at least the surface of the preparation M is dry, the preparation M attached to the tampon main body 20 does not adhere to the inside and outside of the outer cylinder member 40.

  The tampon 10 in which the tampon main body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 is delivered to the tip molding unit 110 via the two relay rollers 101. The tip molding unit 110 has a heating drum 108, a cooling drum 109, and a tip mold portion (not shown) having a hemispherical recess.

  The heating drum 108 holds the tampon 10 delivered from the transport drum unit 106 on the holding portion 108a of the heating drum 108, and the heated tip mold portion is pressed toward the tip opening 43 side of the outer cylinder member 40. The petal-like portion 44 is curved inward to form a dome shape. It is further conveyed by the rotation of the heating drum 108 and is transferred to the adjacent cooling drum 109 via the relay roller 101.

  In the cooling drum 109, the tampon 10 delivered from the heating drum 108 is held by the holding portion 109 a of the cooling drum 109, and the tip mold portion is formed on the petal-like portion 44 of the outer cylinder member 40 that is heated and softened. Is pressed and cooled, and cured in a dome-shaped state, and the tampon 10 is completed. Here, the step of heating the petal-like portion 44 of the outer tubular member 40 with the heating drum 108 and cooling it with the cooling drum 109 corresponds to the bending step S7.

  According to the manufacturing method of the tampon 10 and the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the tampon 10 of the present embodiment, when the preparation M is attached to the tampon body 20, the rear end portion 20 a of the tampon body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40. Therefore, the preparation M can be attached in a state where the tampon body 20 is stable. Further, when the non-rear end portion 20b to which the preparation M is adhered in the accommodating step S6 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40, it is accommodated through the distal end opening 43 in which the rear end portion 20a is already accommodated. The tampon main body 20 can be easily accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40, and the scattering of the preparation M due to the accommodation of the tampon main body 20 can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the tampon main body 20 to which the preparation M is attached is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 and is transported and delivered, a method for manufacturing the tampon 10 in which the manufacturing apparatus 100 of the tampon 10 and the like are not easily contaminated by the preparation M is provided. Is possible.

  Further, since the non-rear end portion 20b to which the preparation M is attached is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40 after a predetermined time has elapsed, the non-rear end portion of the preparation M is surely compared with the case where it is immediately accommodated. In addition to being able to adhere to 20b, it is also possible to suppress adhesion to the outer cylinder member 40.

  Further, since the surface of the preparation M is dry when the non-rear end portion 20b is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40, the preparation M can be reliably attached to the non-rear end portion 20b and the outer portion Adhesion to the tubular member 40 can also be prevented. Moreover, since the surface is only dry, it is possible to set the predetermined time, that is, the conveyance time short, and it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing the tampon 10 with high productivity.

  In addition, the tampon body 20 to which the preparation M is adhered is transported in a state where the non-rear end portion 20b is exposed, so that the tampon body 20 is easily dried, and the time until the next storage step S6 and the bending step S7 is started. It can be shortened.

  Further, in the attaching step S5, the take-out string 22 extending from the tampon main body 20 and inserted through the moving member 50 is pulled outward from the rear end side of the moving member 50, so that the tampon main body 20 is held. It is possible to adhere the preparation M to the non-rear end portion 20b of the tampon body 20 in a stable state. Further, since the members such as the take-out string 22 and the moving member 50 provided in the tampon 10 also serve as a mechanism for holding the tampon main body 20, the tampon main body 20 can be stabilized without providing a complicated mechanism.

  In addition, since the plurality of petal-like portions 44 of the outer cylinder member 40 in which the non-rear end portion 20b is accommodated in the accommodation step S6 is bent inward of the outer cylinder member 40 in the bending step S7, the preparation M It is possible to hold the tampon main body 20 with the attached to the outer cylinder member 40.

  Further, in the arranging step, after the tampon main body 20 is accommodated in the outer cylinder member 40, the non-rear end portion 20b is arranged so as to be exposed from the outer cylinder member 40. It is possible to hold the tampon body 20 reliably and in parallel with the outer cylinder member 40, compared to the case where only the rear end portion 20a of the 20 is inserted.

  In addition, the plurality of petal-like portions 44 of the outer cylinder member 40 in which the non-rear end portion 20 b is accommodated are heated by the heating drum 108, bent toward the inner side of the outer cylinder member 40, and cooled by the cooling drum 109. Since the curved shape is formed, it is possible to prevent the tampon main body 20 to which the preparation M is attached from coming out of the outer cylinder member 40.

=== Other Embodiments ===
The tampon manufacturing method and the tampon manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention have been described above based on the above embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment of the present invention is for facilitating the understanding of the present invention. The invention is not limited. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the gist thereof, and the present invention includes the equivalents thereof.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the tampon manufacturing apparatus, and FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the contact portion.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which adheres the formulation M to the tampon main body 20 without supporting the front-end | tip of the tampon main body 20 was demonstrated, as shown in FIG. When the preparation M is attached while the tampon body 20 is sandwiched between the contact part 125 and the locking part 51, the tampon body 20 is maintained in a more stable state. It is possible to reliably attach the preparation M. At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 12A, the contact portion 125 that supports the tip of the tampon main body 20 is a member provided with a hemispherical recess 125a in which the tip of the tampon main body 20 is accommodated, or shown in FIG. 12B. Thus, for example, a member including the needle 125b inserted into the tip of the tampon main body 20, or a member including both of them may be used.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the pine bark extract was mentioned as an example as a medicinal component of the formulation M, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be a plant extract such as red clover, Tade indigo extract, or indirubin. Moreover, although flavangenol was mentioned as an example as a pine bark extract, it is not limited to this. For example, Pycnogenol handled by Nippon Siebel Hegner or Enzogenol handled by Valentine Inc. may be used.

  In the said embodiment, although the method using an adhesion roller was mentioned as an example and demonstrated as a method of attaching the formulation M to the tampon main body 20, it is not restricted to this. For example, a method using a transfer belt, a method using a stamp unit, or a method using a non-contact ink jet unit may be used.

10 tampon, 20 tampon body, 20a rear end portion, 20b non-rear end portion,
21 outer surface, 22 take-out string, 30 applicator, 40 outer cylinder member,
41 Large-diameter portion, 42 Small-diameter portion, 43 Tip opening, 44 Petal-like portion, 45 Rear-end opening,
46 enlarged diameter part, 47 stepped part, 50 moving member, 51 locking part, 52 annular projection,
60 Absorber material, 100 Tampon manufacturing equipment, 101 Relay roller,
102 compression molding drum, 102a holding part, 104 heating drum, 104a holding part,
105 transport mechanism, 105a first conveyor, 105b second conveyor,
106 conveying drum unit, 106a drum body, 107 adhering unit,
107a container, 107b adhesion roller, 107c supply roller,
108 heating drum, 108a holding part, 109 cooling drum, 109a holding part,
110 tip molding unit, 120 tampon holding and moving unit, 121 holding base,
121a holding surface, 121b regulating projection, 121c regulating projection, 121d clamp,
122 moving air cylinder, 122a body, 122b piston rod,
123 string holding mechanism, 123a string holding air cylinder, 123b cylinder part,
123c rod part, 123d opening, 123e taper part,
123f cylinder tube, 123g string holding part, 123h coil spring,
124 support roller, 125 contact portion, 125a recess, 125b needle,
M formulation

Claims (10)

A tampon manufacturing method comprising: an absorber that absorbs liquid; an outer cylinder member that accommodates the absorber in a relatively movable manner; and a moving member that moves the absorber relative to the outer cylinder member. There,
An insertion step of inserting the moving member from an opening of the outer cylinder member;
An arrangement step of arranging the absorber such that a part of the absorber is accommodated in the outer cylinder member through the opening and the other part of the absorber is exposed from the outer cylinder member;
An attaching step of attaching the preparation to the other part of the absorbent body exposed from the outer cylinder member;
An accommodating step of accommodating the other part to which the preparation is attached in the outer cylinder member through the opening;
A process for producing a tampon, comprising: A method for producing a tampon according to claim 1,
The other part is accommodated in the outer cylindrical member after a predetermined time or more has passed since the preparation is adhered, The method for producing a tampon, A method for producing a tampon according to claim 2,
The method for producing a tampon, wherein the predetermined time is a time until the surface of the preparation adhered to the absorber is dried. A method for producing a tampon according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The method of manufacturing a tampon, wherein the absorber is transported between the attaching step and the containing step with the other portion exposed from the outer cylinder member. A method for producing a tampon according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The absorbent body has a string extending from the part,
The moving member has a cylindrical shape and is engaged with the outer cylinder member so as to be relatively movable,
In the attaching step, the absorber is brought into contact with the moving member in the outer cylinder member, and the string inserted through the moving member is pulled from the outside of the moving member to absorb the absorption. A method for producing a tampon, wherein the body is held. A method for producing a tampon according to claim 5,
In the attaching step, the absorbent body is held between the contact portion that is in contact with the other part of the absorbent body and the moving member. A method for producing a tampon according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The outer cylinder member is divided into a plurality of peripheral wall portions by a plurality of cuts formed on the opening side at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction,
A method of manufacturing a tampon, comprising: a bending step of bending the plurality of peripheral wall portions of the outer cylinder member in which the other portion is accommodated in the accommodation step toward an inward side of the outer cylinder member. A method for producing a tampon according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
In the arrangement step, the tampon manufacturing method is characterized in that the other portion of the absorber accommodated in the outer cylinder member is arranged to be exposed from the outer cylinder member. A tampon manufacturing apparatus comprising: an absorber that absorbs liquid; an outer cylinder member that accommodates the absorber in a relatively movable manner; and a moving member that moves the absorber relative to the outer cylinder member. There,
A part of the absorber is accommodated in the outer cylinder member into which the moving member is inserted through the opening of the outer cylinder member, and the other part of the absorber is exposed from the outer cylinder member. An arrangement unit for arranging the absorber;
An attachment unit for attaching the preparation to the other part of the absorbent body exposed from the outer cylinder member;
An accommodation unit for accommodating the other part to which the preparation is adhered in the outer cylinder member through the opening;
An apparatus for manufacturing a tampon, comprising: The tampon manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9,
The outer cylinder member is divided into a plurality of peripheral wall portions by a plurality of cuts formed on the opening side at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction,
A heating unit that curves and heats the plurality of peripheral wall portions toward the inner side of the outer cylinder member;
A tampon manufacturing apparatus, comprising: a cooling unit that cools the plurality of peripheral wall portions while maintaining a curved state.