GB1340666A - Apparatus for automatically manufacturing cellulose type menstrual tampons - Google Patents

Abstract

1340666 Apparatus for making tampons JEX CO Ltd 30 Oct 1972 [10 Aug 1972] 49838/72 Heading A5R Apparatus for producing tampons comprises a feeding mechanism to feed a continuous band of cotton fibres in intermittent movements, means to fix withdrawal strings in knotted loops at spaced intervals along the band between movements thereof, a device E to break off lengths of the band and feed the individual lengths to a four station indexing turret F having a spindle F' at each station, a winding device 6 at the first station to roll each length around a spindle, means H at the second station to embed the withdrawal string, means I at the third station to compress the roll diametrically and means J at the fourth station to discharge the completed tampon from the spindle. The band 1 is fed from a roll to a string attaching means C comprising a hollow needle rod 3, string arrester 4 and knotter (5). The band then passes to the device E the strings being sucked to one side by a suction nozzle 13 and supported by a guide wire 7 which guides them between belts 11, 12 moving at the same speed as band 1. The device E comprises feed rollers 22-25 and a pair of breaking rolls 26, 27 one of which 27 is fixed in position and the other 26 of which is swing- able towards roll 27 to effect breaking of the band into lengths. Belts 33, 34 are provided to hold the lengths of fibres. A spindle F' slidably mounted on a pusher 44 on the turret arrests the length of fibre and is located between the tines of a fork 47 which is rotated to wind the fibres into a roll 1a on the spindle, means being provided whereby the string 2 is wound adjacent one end of the roll. The fork 47 is extended and retracted by a piston and cylinder. The spindle F' then moves to the second station where a plate 66 is moved by a piston and cylinder to move the spindle F' and roll 1a towards the pusher 44 whereby the string 2 is embedded in the roll. The shaping means I at the third station comprises blades 76, 77 for vertically compressing the roll 1a, blades 78, 79 having concave ends to horizontally compress the roll and pushers 44, 80 which compress the roll axially. The angle between blade 76, 77 is adjustable. The discharge means J at the fourth station comprises a movable chute 119 which is advanced by a piston and cylinder so that pawls 117, 118 provided at one end of the chute engage the tampon. The spindle F' is then withdrawn under the control of a further piston and cylinder. A flexible tube is connected to the rear end of the chute and delivers the tampons to a container.