JPH09299400A - Compressed cotton ball - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compressed cotton ball which can be packaged with good volumetric efficiency and can improve transporting efficiency since the center or a certain part of it is easy to pick up with tweezers or the like for ease of operations such as cleaning and the cotton ball itself is not bulky so that when a number of them are assembled, gaps are unlikely to form among them. SOLUTION: This compressed cotton ball 1 is formed by compressing a cotton ball into a flat, approximately disk shape. The cotton ball comprises loosely bundled cotton fibers 21 wound around an axis and bundled into a ball shape. The compressed cotton ball 1 has a compressed part 2 formed when the cotton fibers 21 extending in the form of a spiral around the axis are compressed in the direction of the axis. An uncompressed part 3 where the degree of compression of the cotton fibers 21 is low is left on the outside of the compressed part 2, so that the compressed cotton ball 1 can be quickly impregnated with a liquid medicine, cosmetic solution, and the like and so can be kept almost as soft as conventional cotton balls.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cotton ball which is used by being impregnated with a drug solution, a beauty essence or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A cotton ball 50 as shown in FIG. 9 is used to disinfect a patient's skin during surgery or injection. Cotton ball 5
0 is a loosely gathered cotton fiber 51 collected in a substantially spherical shape, and one of the many fibers stored in a glass container or the like is pinched with tweezers and impregnated with a disinfectant to wipe the skin.
The cotton ball 50 is also used when impregnated with various chemicals and applied to the affected area.

[0003]

However, the conventional cotton ball 50 is bulky and substantially spherical, but the distance between the two ends of the tweezers is not so wide. Therefore, if the cotton ball 50 is large, the central portion is pinched. There was a problem that it was difficult to perform operations such as wiping because the end part was pinched without it. Further, the substantially spherical cotton balls 50 are themselves bulky and, as shown in FIG. 10, when a large number of them are collected, a large gap is formed between them, so that they cannot be packaged with high volume efficiency, and therefore the transportation efficiency is poor. There was also a problem. In addition, the number of glass containers that can be put in the glass container is limited, and it is necessary to replenish the glass container frequently.

Further, the chemical liquid impregnated in the cotton ball 50 is not necessarily applied entirely to the affected area, but is often discarded while the cotton ball 50 is partially or largely impregnated. There was a waste.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to easily pinch a central portion or an arbitrary portion with tweezers and the like, to easily perform an operation such as wiping, and to collect a large number of cotton balls without making them bulky. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a compressed cotton ball that can be packaged with high volume efficiency and can improve the transportation efficiency because it is difficult to form a gap between them.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the compressed cotton ball of the present invention is obtained by compressing a cotton ball formed by gathering loosely gathered cotton fibers into a substantially spherical shape into a flat, substantially disc shape. It was configured as follows.

The size of the cotton ball before compression is not particularly limited, and the size can be selected according to various uses. The compression method is also not particularly limited, but the pressure at the time of compression is set high enough to maintain the compressed state after compression.

The means for gathering the cotton fibers into a substantially spherical shape is not particularly limited. For example, the cotton fibers may be completely random, but it is preferable to wind the cotton fibers around a uniaxial line and gather them into a substantially spherical shape. . In the latter case, the cotton ball can be compressed in a uniaxial direction or in a direction perpendicular to the uniaxial line, depending on various uses and purposes.

In addition, it is preferable that an uncompressed portion where the degree of compression of the cotton fiber is low is left on the peripheral portion of the compressed cotton ball.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a compressed cotton ball according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The compressed cotton ball used in the present embodiment is not limited to the above medical use, but can be used for cosmetic use as well, for example, a cosmetic puff that is impregnated with lotion and applied to the face or body. Alternatively, it can be used as a nail polish remover by impregnating it with a removing liquid.

As shown in FIG. 2, a cotton ball 20 used for manufacturing the compressed cotton ball 1 of the present embodiment has loosely gathered cotton fibers 21 wound around an axis 22 of the same figure to have a diameter of about 1. 20m
It is a sphere of m. When the cotton fibers 21 are wound in this manner, it is easier to collect the cotton fibers 21 than when the cotton fibers 21 are completely random, and the collected cotton fibers 21 are less likely to be frayed. Further, the compression of the cotton ball 20 described below can be given directionality.

In order to manufacture the compressed cotton ball 1 from this cotton ball 20, first, the cotton ball 20 is set between the upper and lower punches 30, 32 of the press machine with the uniaxial line 22 set in the vertical direction. The punches 30 and 32 have a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 3 to 12 mm and face each other. At the upper and lower surfaces of the cotton ball 20 facing the pressing surfaces 31, 33 of the punches 30, 32, the flow of the cotton fibers 21 is spiral. After setting the cotton ball 20, by clamping the press machine, as shown in FIG. 3, the central portion of the cotton ball 20 is sandwiched between the press surfaces 31, 33 of both punches 30, 32, and the cotton ball 20 is fixed. It is compressed in the direction of the uniaxial line 22 to obtain a flat, disk-shaped compressed cotton ball 1.

The compressed cotton ball 1 thus produced has a cotton fiber 21 at the center thereof, as shown in FIG.
Is 3 to 1 mm thick and has a diameter of 3 to 5 mm
It has a circular compression part 2 of 2 mm. The punches 30 and 32 do not abut on the outer peripheral edge of the compression section 2, but the width is lightly compressed to about 6 to 10 mm by being dragged by the compression of the compression section 2. 4-
A ring-shaped uncompressed portion 3 of 8.5 mm is left. That is, the non-compressed portion 3 is inevitably slightly compressed, and the degree of compression of the cotton fiber is low. The disk shape of the compressed cotton ball 1 is maintained until it is impregnated with a chemical solution, a beauty solution or the like.

To use the compressed cotton ball 1, pick one from a large number put in a glass container with tweezers,
Impregnate medicinal solution, beauty solution, etc. Since the non-compressed portion 3 is left on the peripheral portion of the compressed cotton ball 1, the medicinal solution, the beauty solution, etc. are quickly impregnated from the non-compressed portion 3. If all of the compressed cotton balls are compressed and no non-compressed part is left in the peripheral part, the impregnation speed of the medicinal solution, the beauty solution, etc. becomes slower, and the not so soft compressed part is applied to the skin. It may not be comfortable to touch and may be difficult to operate.

As shown in FIG. 4, the compressed cotton ball 1 containing the medicinal solution, the beauty solution, etc., swells and starts to restore to a substantially spherical shape before compression, but the compression section 2 of the present embodiment is as described above. Uniaxial line 2
The cotton fiber 21 swirling around the
Since it is compressed in the direction, the cotton fibers 21 are intricately entangled with each other, and the compressed state is difficult to be released even when a chemical solution, a beauty solution or the like is contained. Therefore, compressed cotton ball 1
Shows a cotton ball 20 having a substantially spherical shape before compression, which is indicated by a chain double-dashed line in FIG.
It stays around 70%. Therefore, the impregnated amount of the chemical solution, the beauty solution or the like on the compressed cotton ball 1 is smaller than that of the conventional cotton ball, and the chemical solution, the beauty solution or the like can be saved.

According to the compressed cotton ball 1 of the present embodiment, since it is compressed into a flat disk shape, it is easy to pinch the central portion or an arbitrary portion with tweezers or the like, and the operation such as wiping is easy. In addition, the compressed cotton balls 1 themselves are not bulky, and as shown in FIG. 5, when a large number of them are collected, it is difficult to form a gap between them, so that they can be packaged with good volume efficiency and transport efficiency can be improved. . Further, when used in a medical institution or the like, the number of glass balls that can be placed in a glass container or the like is increased as compared with a conventional cotton ball, so that the number of times of replenishment can be reduced.

Next, the alternate long and two short dashes line in FIG. 2 shows a modified example of the above embodiment, which is different from the above embodiment only in that the punches 30 and 32 compress the cotton ball 20 in the direction perpendicular to the uniaxial line 22. To do.

In this case, the countless cotton fibers 21 of the cotton ball 20 existing between the press surfaces 31, 33 of the punches 30, 32 are used.
Since they can be regarded as simple parallel to each other, even if they are compressed in the above-mentioned direction, the cotton fibers 21 do not greatly entangle with each other, and the compressed state is easy to be released if a medicinal solution, a beauty solution, etc. are included. When this compressed cotton ball is impregnated with a medicinal solution, a beauty solution, etc., the compressed cotton ball swells more easily than in the above-described embodiment, and has a substantially spherical shape before compression.
Restores at a restoration rate of about 100%. Therefore, this modified example is suitable when it is desired to impregnate a compressed cotton ball with an extremely large amount (however, maximum, the same amount as a conventional cotton ball) of a medicinal solution, a beauty solution, or the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may be embodied with appropriate modifications within the scope not departing from the gist of the invention as follows. (1) A punch having a press surface shape different from that of the punches 30 and 32 is used. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a ring-shaped compression portion 11 and non-compression portions 1 inside and outside the compression portion 11 are used.
7, a compressed cotton ball 10 provided with 2, and a compressed cotton ball 13 provided with a cruciform compression portion 14 and an uncompressed portion 15 outside the compression portion 14, as shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. As described above, the compressed cotton ball 16 including the substantially triangular compression portion 17 and the non-compression portion 18 outside the compression portion 17 is implemented. As shown in these examples, it is preferable to leave the non-compressed portion on the peripheral portion. (2) Change the size of the cotton ball 20 used.

[0020]

Since the compressed cotton ball according to claim 1 is configured as described above, it is easy to pinch the central portion or any portion with tweezers or the like, and it is easy to perform an operation such as wiping.
The cotton balls themselves are not bulky, and when a large number are collected, it is difficult for gaps to form between them, so they can be packaged with good volume efficiency,
It has an excellent effect that the transportation efficiency can be improved.

According to the compressed cotton ball of the second aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the cotton fibers can be easily gathered, and the gathered cotton fibers are less likely to be frayed.
Like the compressed cotton ball of the present invention, it is possible to give directionality to compression.

According to the compressed cotton ball of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the impregnated amount of the medicinal solution, the beauty solution, etc. is reduced,
It is possible to save medicinal solution, beauty solution, etc.

According to the compressed cotton ball of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, it is possible to impregnate as much chemical liquid, beauty solution, etc. as possible.

According to the compressed cotton ball of the fifth aspect, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, a chemical solution, a beauty solution, etc. can be quickly impregnated, and the softness can be maintained to the level of a conventional cotton ball.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a compressed cotton ball according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a method for manufacturing the same compressed cotton ball.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the method of manufacturing the same compressed cotton ball.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the compressed cotton ball when compressed and restored.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the compressed cotton ball during packaging.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a compressed cotton ball according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a compressed cotton ball according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a compressed cotton ball according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a conventional cotton ball.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the cotton ball during packaging.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Compressed cotton ball 2 Compressed part 3 Uncompressed part 10 Compressed cotton ball 11 Compressed part 12 Uncompressed part 13 Compressed cotton ball 14 Compressed part 15 Uncompressed part 16 Compressed cotton ball 17 Compressed part 18 Uncompressed part 20 Cotton ball 21 Cotton fiber 22 Axis

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A compressed cotton ball obtained by compressing a cotton ball formed by loosely gathering cotton fibers into a substantially spherical shape into a flat, substantially disk shape. 2. The compressed cotton ball according to claim 1, wherein the cotton ball is obtained by winding the cotton fiber around a uniaxial line and collecting the cotton fibers into a substantially spherical shape. 3. The compressed cotton ball according to claim 2, wherein the cotton ball is compressed in the uniaxial direction. 4. The compressed cotton ball according to claim 2, wherein the cotton ball is compressed in a direction perpendicular to the uniaxial line. 5. The compressed cotton ball according to claim 1, wherein a non-compressed portion having a low degree of compression of the cotton fiber is left at a peripheral portion of the compressed cotton ball.