RU2805904C2 - Tampon forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: hygienic products.

SUBSTANCE: device for forming a tampon, which includes several processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 for forming a tampon from a tape material. It also includes at least one transfer wheel 7 for continuous transfer of workpieces from first processing drum 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 to second processing drum 4, 5.1, 5.2. The invention also relates to a method for forming a tampon from a web material, wherein the transfer from the first processing drum to the second processing drum is carried out by means of a continuously rotating transmission wheel.

EFFECT: new design.

18 cl, 9 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to a device for forming a tampon from a tape material, as well as a method for forming a tampon from a tape material, both according to the restrictive part of the distinguishing claims.

Tampons used for feminine hygiene, particularly during menstruation, consist essentially of an absorbent material, most often a strip of viscose cotton, which is first wound into a characteristic oblong shape, then pressed and molded. These processing processes from the raw material strip to the finished tampon are carried out in stages in cyclic flow production lines. In the first step, a strip of material is first wound up, with the retrieval thread placed around the strip and tied in a knot before winding. After this, the roll is pressed under pressure. Due to the appropriate design of the pressing tool, it is possible to create certain structures on the finished tampons, such as, for example, common longitudinal grooves. In most manufacturing methods, in addition to obtaining a particularly smooth and round tampon head, a head forming step is performed that further shapes and/or smoothes the tampon head. Each of these processing steps occurs in a specialized workstation and involves cycling from one workstation to the next.

The cycle of this transfer of the tampon production line sets limits regarding the maximum achievable speed. In addition, prolonged acceleration and braking of working units leads to severe wear and high energy consumption.

Particular attention in the production of tampons also requires the sensitivity of the processed materials, since the cotton wool or, respectively, the wool/fleece strip must be handled with appropriate care when loss of quality of the final product cannot be tolerated. In addition to this, the strong hygroscopic property of the material also creates difficulties, while air humidity must be kept within narrow limits, since only optimal material humidity ensures reliable execution of the process.

Thus, there is a need for devices and methods for forming tampons that can achieve high process speeds without having to deal with quality issues in the resulting products.

At the same time, in the production of tampons, the speed is measured in the number of processed blanks per minute. With modern technology, these product quantities range from a maximum of 100 to 140 pieces per minute, but in reality they often fall below.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tampon making apparatus which overcomes at least one of the above problems. In particular, a device for making tampons must be provided, which will allow production of more than 140 pieces per minute. Accordingly, a method must also be provided which overcomes at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, in particular allowing the processing of product quantities in excess of 140 pieces per minute.

This problem is solved using a device for forming tampons, which is described in the distinctive part of the independent claims.

However, one aspect of the present invention relates to a device for forming tampons from tape material. This device includes several processing drums and at least one transfer station, in particular a transfer wheel, for continuously transferring the workpiece from the first processing drum to the second processing drum. In this case, a continuously operated device for producing a tampon or blank is provided.

The present invention originates from a strip material which may have already undergone previous processing steps. Thus, in particular, for the production of tampons, tape materials are used, which consist of laminated layers of woven and/or non-woven materials. Fleece/wadding material is commonly used. For the invention, the composition of these tape materials in detail is of secondary importance.

In the context of the present invention, a tampon can be understood as any type of cotton swab compressed into a substantially oblong object that serves primarily to be inserted into a body orifice or wound.

Molding, in the context of the invention, includes the necessary steps to make such a tampon from the tape material, in particular a tampon which has a head shape that is substantially tapered at the head end and an oblong body. Such tampons are usually used as hygiene products by women during menstruation. But tampons that are purchased for other purposes can nevertheless be produced using the device according to the invention. Thus, using the device according to the invention, anal tampons or hemostatic tampons for surgical use can be produced without adaptations or only with minor adaptations. Such tampons can be made, for example, without a tapered head.

The device according to the invention may be followed by other processing steps, such as, for example, packaging the tampons in a film or applicator. In one particular embodiment, the packaging of tampons into a film or applicator can be carried out using structural elements according to the invention, for example, using processing drums. In another special embodiment, a packaging drum is provided for packaging.

For example, CA 2085923 shows a method for preparing tape material that would be suitable for the device of the present invention.

In the context of the present invention, a processing drum can be understood as a rotatably supported drum about a central axis, which has radially arranged processing tools for a specific forming step in forming a tampon. This processing drum can be driven directly, in particular, each processing drum can be driven directly.

In the context of the invention, a transfer station can be understood as a station located between the processing drums and having pick-ups arranged radially in a circle for continuous transfer of the workpiece. For this purpose, for example, circulating belts, belts, webs or chains can be provided, in particular chain belts, which have pick-ups arranged in a circle, in particular which include several pick-ups along the outer perimeter of the belt or belt. With the help of such transfer stations, the transfer of workpieces can be carried out constantly and continuously.

In one particular embodiment, the transfer station is a transfer wheel having radially arranged pick-ups that, when the transfer wheel rotates about the axis of rotation, describe a substantially circular radius.

In one particular embodiment, the device according to the invention includes at least one first and at least one second processing drum. The first processing drum may be configured to wind the supplied web material into a roll. A second processing drum may be provided for compressing said roll.

In the context of the present invention, the term "blank" is used for a semi-finished tampon that has undergone at least one processing step. Thus, the wound tape material in the context of the present invention can be considered a first blank. When this roll or blank is compressed, the resulting product may be a tampon, or, if further processed, become a second blank, which in turn can be further processed to form a tampon, or perhaps even a third blank. . Thus, for example, after pressing, further quality-enhancing processing steps can be envisaged and carried out on the workpieces.

In one particular embodiment, the present invention includes a third processing drum that performs head forming and/or smoothing of the second workpiece.

In another particular embodiment, the device of the invention includes a fourth processing drum which is configured to smooth the tampon head or surface of the tampon.

In one particular embodiment, the processing drums are arranged one behind the other in a processing line, so that the workpieces go through each process step in a specific sequence. Particularly preferably, between each pair of adjacent processing drums there is a transfer station which is responsible for transferring the workpieces between the processing drums.

The transfer station is located in the device according to the invention so that the transfer of the workpiece from the first processing drum to the second processing drum is continuous. Preferably, the transfer station is a transfer wheel.

Previous methods and devices for making and molding tampons generally operate intermittently because at least one transfer between processing devices occurs via a transfer unit operating in a batch mode. Using the device according to the invention, tampons can be produced in a continuous, endless manner at a high number of products per minute.

Thanks to the fact that the transmission is carried out using a transfer wheel, maintenance costs are also reduced, and there is less wear on structural elements that otherwise work in a “Stop and go” manner. The operation of the machines is generally quieter and wear is reduced.

Another advantage of the device according to the invention is that the continuously running process is scalable. For example, the number of tools in the processing drums can be increased, so that the use of space in process plants can be optimized. Although processing plants with more tools on each processing drum may result in larger production units, the increase in space is less than when multiple processing lines are installed in parallel. The possibility of scaling also makes it possible to design technological lines specifically tailored to the customer's wishes, which have the desired number of processing tools on each processing drum. At the same time, the processing time of the workpiece for the individual processing tools can remain constant. Possible differences in the quantity and/or speed of processing between two adjacent processing drums can be compensated for by continuously operating transfer stations or transfer wheels.

For some applications it may be advisable to reduce the number of products below the maximum possible output quantity. This can be useful, for example, during control or calibration processes of devices, as well as for matching the corresponding machines performing subsequent processing. Thanks to the ability to smoothly scale a continuously running transfer wheel, this is also possible. Despite the high possible speed of the process and the large number of products, thanks to the device according to the invention, more time can be left for the individual process steps. Thus, for example, the workpiece can remain in the tool for the entire duration of its stay in the processing drum and at the same time move in the direction of movement. Multiple tools on each processing drum allow higher product quantities to be produced without reducing the processing time per workpiece. Thus, for example, a processing drum designed for pressing may have several processing tools, that is, presses, preferably six presses, which can each process a workpiece over a period of time from receiving the workpiece from a transfer wheel to transferring it to another transfer wheel. The radially next block receives the next workpiece in the meantime.

In one particular embodiment, the processing drum includes at least two radially arranged processing tools. Preferably, these processing tools are arranged in such a way that the centrifugal forces that arise during operation and act on the outer radii of the processing drums are equalized, i.e. processing tools are located symmetrically to each other around the central axis of rotation.

In one particular embodiment, the processing drum includes from six to twenty-four processing tools.

Another advantage of the present invention is revealed here. Thanks to smoothly running and continuously operating transfer wheels between two processing drums having different numbers of processing tools, it is still possible to ensure a continuous supply of workpieces.

In one particular embodiment, each transmission wheel of the device according to the invention is separately controllable.

In one particular embodiment, the processing drums are designed such that, during rotational movement around the axis of these drums, they process the product or workpiece and move it in the direction of movement of the device. In other words, processing with the processing drums can also preferably be carried out continuously.

In one particular embodiment, the transfer wheel includes multiple pick-ups. These pick-ups are designed in such a way that they are introduced into the transmission area at a certain radius of rotation of at least one of the processing drums. During operation, the processing drums rotate around the axis of these drums, so that a certain outer radius is formed on which the processing tools are located on the processing drum. Preferably, in the present apparatus, the processing drum and the transfer wheel are positioned relative to each other so that a transmission area is created. From this transfer area, the transfer wheel can pick up the corresponding product or workpiece finished by the processing drum and transfer it to the next processing drum.

In one particular embodiment, the transmission wheel includes at least one guide curve. This guide curve may guide the pick-ups in the radial movement of the transfer wheel such that when the transfer wheel rotates relative to the first processing drum, a transmission region is defined in which the pick-up receptacle is positioned substantially coaxial with the processing tool of the processing drum.

In the context of the present invention, the receiving socket and the processing tool are positioned coaxially with each other when they are positioned coaxially with respect to their longitudinal axis. This longitudinal axis may also correspond to the longitudinal axis of the workpiece in the processing tool or receptacle.

In one particular embodiment of the present invention, the transfer wheel has radially arranged pick-ups. These pick-ups include a receptacle for receiving the tampon or workpiece. They also include a guide rod on which the receiving socket is located. In addition, the pick-up according to the invention includes a guide bushing, with the help of which the guide rod is supported with the possibility of displacement along its longitudinal axis. This guide sleeve can in turn be mounted on a rotating turntable.

In one particular embodiment, the guide sleeve is supported on a rotating rotary disk with the possibility of tilting about the axis of rotation. For example, the guide sleeve may be supported by a radial support and can be tilted relative to the rotary disk. Preferably, this axis of rotation is parallel to the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel, that is, at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the guide rod. The advantage of this arrangement is that the pick-ups can be adjusted to their tangential speed according to their guide curves.

In addition to the longitudinal displacement of the guide rod along the guide bushing support, the entire pick-up can now be tilted around the axis of rotation. This makes it possible to obtain another degree of freedom and adapt the speed along the curve of the receiving socket to the speed along the tool curve of the processing drum in the transmission area. The receiving socket may move in the transmission area along a guide curve at a variable speed.

In one particular embodiment, the guide rod also includes first input means for active connection to the first guide curve. During operation, the transfer wheel rotates parallel to the first, rigidly located guide curve when rotating the rotary disk, which acts as a backstage for individual pick-ups. The pick-ups can be driven into active connection with the guide curve by means of an input means designed as a pin or a cam. In this case, the pick-ups not only undergo a rotational movement around the axis of rotation of the transmission wheel, but also make a turn during this movement, which is specified by the guide curve. Thanks to this, in the transfer area to the processing drum, it is possible to be introduced into it and into a coaxial position relative to the tool of the processing drum, and for a certain point in time there is essentially the same speed along the curve, so that the workpiece can be transferred from the tool to the receiving slot of the pick-up.

In one particular embodiment, the picker includes second input means for active connection to the second guide curve. When the rotary disk rotates, the transfer wheel rotates parallel to a second, rigidly located guide curve, which serves as a backstage for the guide sleeve.

The pick-up is preferably designed such that the receiving receptacle has at least two degrees of freedom. The first degree of freedom is achieved by supporting the guide rod along its longitudinal axis on the guide sleeve. Another degree of freedom is achieved by rotating the guide bushing on the rotary disc.

In one particular embodiment, the first guide curve and the second guide curve are arranged in parallel, in particular arranged in the form of grooves on two parallel guide discs. The grooves can run along various curved paths. Between these two parallel guide disks having guide curves, pick-ups are located, rotatably supported on the rotary disk. The pick-ups have a first cam for active connection with a first guide curve and a second cam for active connection with a second guide curve. The cams in this embodiment are located oppositely on the pick-ups, but are preferably not arranged concentrically.

Thanks to this arrangement, the pick-up is guided along a curve during its radial movement so that at least periodically it has the same speed along the curve in the transmission area as the radially arranged tools of the processing drum.

In one particular embodiment, the transfer wheel is designed in the form of a drum, with the pick-ups located on a rotating disc rotatably positioned between two rigid guide discs.

In one particular embodiment, the processing drums include an ejector drum that is parallel to the processing drum and rotatably positioned about the same axis as the corresponding processing drum.

In one particular embodiment, the ejector drum includes a plurality of ejectors that are located along a radius of the ejector drum such that they are parallel to the processing tools of the corresponding processing drum.

In another preferred embodiment, the ejectors are located on the ejector drum such that they extend substantially coaxially with the tools. In this embodiment, in the transfer area when transferring from the processing drum to the transfer wheel or vice versa, there will be a coaxial arrangement of the ejector of the ejector drum, the tool of its corresponding processing drum and the receiving socket of the transfer wheel.

In another preferred embodiment, the ejector drum includes a three-dimensional slide along which the ejectors are directed. This slide can be arranged so that the ejectors act in the intermediate space between the ejection drum and the processing drum when there is a coaxial arrangement with respect to the receiving seat of the transfer wheel. Thus, for example, the transfer of the product or workpiece from the transfer wheel to the corresponding processing tool can be ensured.

In one particular embodiment, the guide curve is made in the form of a groove into which the pick-up pin or finger can be inserted so that when the pick-up moves around the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel, the guide rod moves along the guide sleeve in the longitudinal direction.

As an alternative to the guide curve, the pick-ups can also be made actuatable. In this case, electric, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators would allow the guide rod to move radially relative to the transfer wheel. Suitable additional actuators could be provided to enable tilting movement of the pick-up.

In another alternative embodiment, the pick-ups can also be supported in a spring-loaded manner. In one particular embodiment of this embodiment, the processing drum includes means for being in active connection with the pick-ups in at least some of the transmission area of its radius. Thus, for example, the processing drum may be provided with hooks that engage in active connection with corresponding pick-up loops. This contact can be maintained during the transfer of one workpiece, for example by an ejector. Alternatives or additions to the hooks would be magnetic grips, which can be applied and retracted electrically, or grips operated by air suction. In the context of the present invention, the pick-up may be supported in a spring-loaded manner, with the spring positioned to allow a return force to be transmitted to the receiving socket in a radial direction.

In one particular embodiment, the ejector drums are further equipped in place of the ejectors with suction devices that maintain air flow towards the processing drum tools. This serves to control the tampon retrieval thread in the treatment area, which prevents the tampon threads from becoming tangled. For this purpose, receptacles can also be provided having a receptacle groove, which ensures that the receptacles, when inserted into the transfer area of the corresponding suction element of the ejector drum, do not come into contact with the extraction threads extending horizontally into the transfer area. Corresponding suction elements can also be provided on the transfer wheels, and for each receptacle respectively, in order to prevent the extraction threads from becoming tangled during transfer.

In one particular embodiment, the first processing drum is a winding drum. Preferably, this winding drum has from six to 24, especially preferably twelve, tools.

In one particular embodiment, the second processing drum is a processing drum having a plurality of tampon presses, preferably two to twelve tampon presses, particularly preferably six tampon presses. Tampon presses, which are designed to exert radial pressure on a roll by means of several pressing jaws and at the same time press to form a tampon, are known in the prior art.

In one particular embodiment, all structural elements that have physical contact with the tape material, blank or tampon are provided with an antistatic coating or consist essentially of an antistatic material.

In one particular embodiment, the apparatus includes drives for transfer stations, in particular transfer wheels, and processing drums.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of forming a tampon from a tape material. At the first stage, tape material is provided. Moreover, this tape material can be, as already stated, already pre-processed and in common cases it is a laminate of fleece material and cotton wool. The strip material is formed in stages using several rotating processing drums. Preferably we are talking about continuously rotating processing drums. In this case, the transfer from the first processing drum to the second processing drum is carried out continuously by means of a transfer station, in particular by means of a transfer wheel.

With the method proposed by the invention, the productivity in terms of the number of products of the device for forming a tampon ceases to be related to the processing time of an individual workpiece. Despite the high possible number of products, there is no need to accept losses in the processing time of individual workpieces. This makes it possible to produce with high productivity and at the same time very high quality.

In one particular embodiment of the method according to the invention, the stepwise forming of the strip material includes a winding step, a pressing step and a head forming and/or smoothing step. Moreover, each of these stages is carried out on a specific, continuously rotating processing drum.

In one particular embodiment, the processing drums continue to move the product or workpiece in the direction of movement during each step-by-step molding.

In one particular embodiment, the transfer station or transfer wheel, when transferred from the first processing drum to the second processing drum, inserts the pick-up into the transfer area of the first processing drum such that, at least intermittently, the pick-up receptacle is in a coaxial arrangement with respect to the tool. The ejection drum performs the step of pushing the workpiece from the tool into the receiving socket or from the receiving socket into the tool, in particular, this occurs by displacing the ejector in the longitudinal direction of the tool or receiving socket.

In the context of the present invention, the coaxial arrangement of the tool, the receiving socket and the ejector always refers to the longitudinal extent of the corresponding elements. This also corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the tampon produced by the method according to the invention, or of the tampon formed using the device according to the invention.

In one particular embodiment, the ejector in the second stage is located on an ejector drum, which rotates parallel to the corresponding processing drum, so that the ejectors are each assigned to one respective tool.

In another special embodiment of the method according to the invention, the pick-up of the transfer wheel is guided by a guide curve as it rotates, so that the transfer area between the processing drum and the receiving seat has the same trajectory speed. Preferably, this same path speed exists relative to the tool of the processing drum.

It is obvious to one skilled in the art that all mutually non-mutually exclusive embodiments of the present invention can be implemented in any embodiment in any combination.

In the following, the present invention will be further illustrated with reference to specific embodiments and schematic drawings, without, however, being limited to these specific embodiments.

For simplicity, in the present figures, the same structural elements are provided with the same reference numerals.

Shown schematically:

Fig.1: one of the embodiments of the device proposed by the invention, having only four processing drums;

fig.2a: transmission wheel;

Fig. 2b: pick-up in retracted state;

Fig. 2c: pick-up in extended state;

FIG. 2d: side view of the pick-up of FIG. 2c;

Fig. 3a: the basic structure of the device in accordance with the present invention, having two processing drums and one transfer wheel located between them;

Fig. 3b: schematic of the transmission area;

Fig.4: schematically in cross section along the axis of rotation of the processing drum, the input of the transfer wheel, and

Fig.5: partial cutout along the radius of the transmission wheel proposed by the invention.

Figure 1 schematically shows a device 1 in accordance with the present invention, having a total of four processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2. Although this example is shown with four drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2, the device is also functional with only two drums 2, 4. The processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 are arranged one behind the other and perform one processing step during molding tampon.

The first processing drum 2 serves as a winding station. A strip material is introduced into the first processing drum 2, which is then unwinded from the first processing drum 2 to produce rolls and a first blank. To wind up the strip material, the first processing drum 2 may be equipped with a number of forks which receive the strip material and are wound into a roll by means of a rotational movement around its own longitudinal axis. The tape material, as already stated, can be a laminate of fleece material and cotton wool. In this case, the cotton wool can be made from any cellulose fibrous fabric, but preferably from viscose. Alternatively, cotton or hemp fibers are possible. The fleece material preferably includes a thermoplastic copolymer.

Device 1 has a certain direction of movement. For the present example, the moving direction in FIG. 1 is provided from left to right. The workpiece moves in this direction during operation.

Present and not shown processing stations can produce the corresponding laminate and introduce the strip material, already cut to the correct size, into the first processing drum 2.

Attached to the first processing drum 2 is a first transfer wheel 7. This transfer wheel receives the roll from the first processing drum 2 and transfers it to the second processing drum 4. In the present example, the first processing drum 2 is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation in a clockwise direction. arrows. The tools, in particular the winding forks, are arranged radially. The transfer wheel 7 is designed so that it rotates in a counterclockwise direction around an axis of rotation that also runs horizontally.

The subsequent, second processing drum 4 is a drum for pressing rolls and blanks to produce second blanks.

The second processing drum includes several pressing tools. These pressing tools may be radially arranged pressing jaws. But in general, the number of pressing tools is lower than the number of winding tools of the first processing drum. The transfer wheel is capable of compensating for different speeds along the trajectory between two processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2. This can be achieved, for example, by the transmission wheel including a corresponding guide, as shown in detail below.

The second processing drum 4 is followed by a third and fourth processing drum 5.1, 5.2. The device 1 according to the invention has two drums 5.1, 5.2 for head forming/smoothing. And these drums are each connected by a transfer wheel 7 to the previous processing drum 4, which feeds the corresponding processing drum 5.1. In the same way, transmission from drum 5.1 for forming the head to drum 5.2 for smoothing occurs using a transfer wheel 7.

The transmission wheels 7 are designed so that they can rotate continuously around their central axes of rotation. These axes of rotation in the present example are oriented horizontally and are indicated by dashed crosses in Fig. 1. In the present embodiment, in operation, the transfer wheels rotate in a counterclockwise direction while the processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 rotate in a clockwise direction. Of course, the reverse design is possible.

The entire system can be mounted on a single machine frame (not shown). Alternatively, workbenches or installation in a production area are also possible. Integration into a fully automated production line with pre- and post-processing is also possible.

Fig. 2a schematically shows the transmission wheel 7 according to the invention in a localized view. For clarity, the transfer wheel 7 is shown between two processing drums. The transmission wheel 7 is supported with the possibility of rotation around the central axis of rotation R2, which is oriented horizontally. In this case, the rotary disk 16 rotates around the central axis of rotation R2. Connected to the rotary disk 16 are pick-ups 12, which have radially displaceable guide rods 13 supported in guide bushings. The guide rods 13 end in receiving slots 11, which are arranged to receive a workpiece, in the present case a workpiece or a roll.

As can be seen in this figure, the processing drums are arranged offset relative to each other along their axes of rotation, so that the transfer wheel 7 can act between two processing drums 2, 4.

To compensate for different speeds along the trajectory of the processing drums on the radii of the transfer wheels, the first guide curve 10.1 is visible in Fig. 2a, which is located rigidly relative to the rotary disk 16.

The pick-ups 12 are designed so that they are in active connection with the first guide curve 10.1 and, when the transfer wheel 7 rotates, follow the course of the curve in such a way that the guide rods 13, in addition to radial rotation around the axis of rotation of the transfer wheel, can produce a lateral inclination and a cranial tilt specified by the guide curve offset (relative to the receiving socket as the head end). The pick-ups 12 are guided along this first guide curve 10.1 as if on a slide.

To further explain the principle of operation of the pick-ups 12 in the example according to the invention, it is also shown schematically separately in FIGS. 2b, 2c and 2d.

The pick-up 12 includes directional guide bars 13, which are supported movably along their longitudinal axis by means of a linearly supported guide sleeve 14.

The first cam 15 is formed on the guide rod to be inserted into the guide groove of the guide curve in accordance with Fig. 2a. In the image of FIGS. 2b and 2c, this first cam 15 would extend into the plane of the paper facing away from the viewer.

In the present example, the pick-up 12 is supported on a rotary disk 16 with the possibility of rotation about the axis of rotation R3. This can be done by means of a radial support. In the present example, the radial support is formed by a rotary disk and is actively connected to the guide sleeve by means of a pin on the rotation axis R3.

The guide rod 13 ends at the head side with a receiving socket 11, which describes a certain gap that serves to accommodate the workpiece. The lateral notch serves to ensure that when placing during transfer it does not touch the retrieval thread, which protrudes horizontally into the transfer area.

Figure 2c shows the displacement of the supported guide rod 13 along the longitudinal axis of the pick-up 12, which is made possible by the linear support of the guide sleeve 14.

The guide sleeve 14 has a second cam 9 on the paper plane facing the observer. This second cam 9 can be brought into active connection with a second guide curve (not shown in FIG. 2a). This second guide curve serves as a rocker to guide the guide sleeve 14 along a certain curve. Due to this, the receiving socket 11, when rotating the transmission wheel 7, can move with two degrees of freedom, a longitudinal displacement in the longitudinal direction and rotation around the rotation axis R3. Since these two cams 9, 15 are offset from each other, the direction along the two guide curves supports the radial movement of the pick-ups along their curves.

FIG. 2d once again shows the pick-up 12 of FIG. 2c, rotated once again by 90 degrees, in a side view. In this case, the guide rod 13 is slightly offset in the radial direction (relative to the axis R2 of rotation of the transmission wheel, not shown in Fig. 2d). The guide sleeve has a cam 9. The guide rod has a cam 15. On the receiving socket 11, a lateral notch is visible in the plan view.

In FIG. 3a, to better illustrate the transfer wheel 7, a system having two processing drums is shown. The first processing drum describes the first radius 20 with its processing tools, while the second processing drum 4 describes the second radius 23 with its tools. Moreover, these radii refer to the corresponding localization of the headers in the tool. The second processing drum 4 is a processing drum 4 having a plurality of tampon presses 25, 30, which are arranged radially around the axis of rotation of the processing drum 4.

The rotation axes of processing drums 2, 4 are schematically represented by a central cross. Along these axes, a rotating shaft having a rotary support can be coupled to a rotary drive (not shown), whereby a direct drive of the individual processing drums or a separate drive via a belt system can drive both drums.

The pressing tools 25, 30 are equipped with several radially arranged pressing tools, in particular pressing jaws, which press the workpiece located at their midpoint. In the present example, six pressing tools 25, 30 are provided, which are arranged rotationally symmetrically around the axis of rotation to avoid imbalances.

The pressing tools 25, 30 in the present example are designed so that they perform a pressing step from the time of receipt of the workpiece to the transfer to the next processing drum or outlet unit. Thanks to this, the pressing step can be carried out over a period of time while the product, that is, the workpiece, moves in the direction of movement. At the same time, another pressing tool is prepared to receive the next first workpiece.

The process can be carried out continuously without causing any individual workpiece to lose processing time during pressing, which maintains good processing quality.

The transfer wheel 7 is also supported with the possibility of rotation on a horizontal axis of rotation and is located between two processing drums. The transfer wheel 7 has a total of twelve pick-ups 12, which are located radially and with their receiving sockets 11 also set a certain radius 21 of action. During operation, a transmission area 18 is formed between the operating radius 21 of the transfer wheel 7 and the operating radius 20 of the first processing drum. Tangent to the radius 20 of the processing drum inside this transmission area 18, the workpiece is transferred from the first processing drum to the transfer wheel 7.

According to the lower number of tools on the second processing drum 4, the transmission area 19 between the transfer wheel 7 and the second processing drum 4 is designed differently.

Thanks to the corresponding guide curve (not shown in FIG. 3), the pick-up can optimally cover the corresponding transmission areas 18, 19 during its radial movement of the transmission wheel.

Thus, for example, by means of guide curves, the same speed along the curve between the pick-up 12 and the processing tool can be guaranteed during a certain window of time in which transmission can occur.

This concept is once again schematically illustrated as an example in FIG. 3b. The first radius of rotation about the rotation axis R1 of the processing drum is shown on the left. It overlaps with the second radius of rotation of the transmission wheel about the rotation axis R2. This creates a transmission region 18 in which the processing drum tools continue to follow their radius of rotation, but the radius of rotation of the transmission wheel follows a curve 43 that deviates from the rotation curve 44.

This is made possible by the pickers' degrees of freedom and direction along guide curves, as explained above. Thus, the first radius 41.1 of the pick-up curve is dynamically adapted to the radius of rotation of the processing drum, and at the second radius 41.2 of the curve, the workpiece is transferred tangentially to the radius of rotation of the processing drum.

Figure 4 also shows in detail the transmission using the example of any processing drum 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2, which has a corresponding ejector drum 32, 34, 35.1, 35.2, supported for rotation about the same axis of rotation R1.

The processing drum 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 is shown in cross section, showing schematically two tools 39 on each of radially opposite circumferential radii. These tools 39 are used to place a product or workpiece. Tools 39 may also be responsible for a specific processing step. Thus, one tool of one processing station can be designed, for example, as a winding tool, as a pressing tool or as a head forming/smoothing tool.

The processing drum 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 defines, relative to the ejector drum 32, 34, 35.1, 35.2, a gap through which the transfer wheel pick-up can act in the transmission area, which is located between the processing drum and the ejector drum, and moreover, coaxially between the ejector 37 and the tool 39. The processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 in Fig. 4 are clearly shown with corresponding ejector drums 32, 34, 35.1, 35.2. In practice and in a specific embodiment of the device according to the invention, the processing drum 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2 may have a permanently dedicated ejector drum 32, 34, 35.1, 35.2, which is adapted to the structural and functional properties of the processing drums 2, 4, 5.1, 5.2, for example , regarding the number of tools, rotation speed, geometry. Thus, for example, a second processing drum 4 provided for pressing workpieces, which has a total of six tools, that is, pressing tools, can have a correspondingly designed ejection drum 34 having six ejectors 37 and a corresponding slide for guiding these ejectors.

During transmission, the receiving socket 11 is located in this intermediate space so that the receiving chamber defined by the receiving socket 11 is positioned coaxially with the ejector 37. This ejector 37 can be directed in three dimensions on the ejector drum 32, 34, 35.1, 35.2 so that in the transmission area with the coaxial arrangement of the receiving socket 11, it synchronously protrudes into the transfer area in such a way that it moves the workpiece from the receiving socket in the direction of the arrow into the tool 39.

In order to equalize the speed along the trajectory between the transfer wheel and the processing drum or, accordingly, the ejector drum at the moment of transmission, the transfer wheel is equipped with cams 9, 15, which each fall into the corresponding groove of the guide curve 10.1, 10.2, and with the help of which they are supported with the possibility of displacement the guide rods 13 follow the movement of the curve. In this case, the guide rods 13 are supported by a rotary disk 16 with the possibility of rotation around the axis R2 of rotation. The guide curves 10.1, 10.2 in the present example are made in the form of grooves on two parallel, opposite guide disks 45.1, 45.2. The guide discs 45.1, 45.2 are rigid relative to the rotary disc 16. The guide curves 10.1, 10.2 thus form scenes that control the movement of the pick-ups along the curve. The pick-ups are, moreover, rotatably supported on a rotary disk 16, so that they can perform a tilting movement perpendicular to the plane of the paper.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates the design of a transfer wheel having mounted pick-ups, in a local view. Two guide discs 45.1, 45.2 are arranged in parallel, so that their end faces face each other. On the corresponding end sides, guide curves 10.1, 10.2 are made in the form of grooves. In each of the grooves of the guide curves 10.1, 10.2, pick-up means 9, 15 are inserted, and these pick-ups in the present image are shown without receiving sockets, so as not to obstruct the view into the intermediate space between the guide disks 45.1, 45.2.

The guide sleeve 14 is actively connected by means of the second cam 9 as an input means to the second guide curve 10.2 facing away from it, so that it is directed towards the guide sleeve 14 in a rotational movement about the rotation axis R2 of the transmission wheel, as with a rocker. The guide sleeve 14 is also supported with the possibility of tilting using a radial support on the rotary disk 16. The rotary disk 16 in the present case is made in the form of a transport wheel, which has radially located supports for active connection with the guide sleeves 14.

By means of the guide sleeve 14, the guide rod 13 is linearly supported. The guide rod 13 has a cam 15, which similarly extends into the first guide curve 10.1, made in the form of a groove, and enters into a rocker active connection with it.

Running wheels can be installed on cams 9, 15 to minimize friction on the grooves of guide curves 10.1, 10.2.

The present invention provides a device that allows for continuous and scalable tampon molding, which has a number of advantages over known systems. For those skilled in the art, other preferred embodiments follow from these specific embodiments, which may be supplemented by other features from the general description.

Claims (29)

1. Device (1) for forming tampons, including a. several processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) for forming a tampon from tape material and characterized in that it includes b. at least one transfer station (7) for continuously transferring the workpiece from the first processing drum (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) to the second processing drum (4, 5.1, 5.2). 2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer station (7) is a transfer wheel for continuously transferring the workpiece from the first processing drum (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) to the second processing drum (4, 5.1, 5.2), in particular a transfer wheel (7) supported with the possibility of rotation around the rotation axis R2, with the rotation axis R2 parallel to the rotation axis R1 of the processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2). 3. Apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said plurality of processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) include a first processing drum (2) for winding up the strip material to produce a first blank. 4. Apparatus (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said plurality of processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) include a second processing drum (4) for pressing the first blank into a second blank. 5. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said multiple processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) include at least one third processing drum (5.1, 5.2) for forming and/or smoothing the tampon head on the second blank. 6. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the transmission wheel (7) includes several pick-ups (12), which are arranged so that they are introduced into the transmission area (18, 19) of the radius (20, 23) rotation of at least one of the processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2). 7. Device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the transfer wheel (7) has at least one guide curve (10.1, 10.2), which guides the pick-ups (12) during radial movement so that when the transfer wheel (7) rotates relative to the processing drum (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2), a transmission area (18, 19) is specified, in which, at least periodically, the receiving socket (11) of the pick-up (12) is located coaxially with the processing tool (39) of the processing drum. 8. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the transfer wheel (7) has radially arranged pick-ups (12), and these pick-ups (12) include: a. a receiving socket (11) for placing a tampon or workpiece; b. a guide rod (13) on which the receiving socket (11) is located; And c. a guide sleeve (14), with the help of which the guide rod (13) is supported with the possibility of displacement along its longitudinal axis, and which is supported on the rotating rotary disk (16), in particular supported by means of a radial support. 9. The device according to one of claims 2-8, wherein the transfer wheel includes two parallel guide disks (45.1, 45.2), on each of which there is one guide curve (10.1, 10.2), along which the pick-ups (12 ) are directed during radial movement around the axis R2 of rotation of the transmission wheel so that the radius of action of the pick-ups at least periodically follows the radius (21, 23) of rotation of the processing tool, and the transmission is carried out tangentially to the radius (21, 23) of rotation of the processing drum (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2). 10. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the processing drums (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) include an ejector drum (32, 34, 35.1, 35.2), which is arranged to rotate around that same axis as the corresponding processing drum (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2). 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the ejector drum (32, 34, 35.1, 35.2) includes a plurality of ejectors (37) which are arranged radially on the ejector drum (32, 34, 35.1, 35.2) such that they are located coaxially with the processing tools of the corresponding processing drum. 12. A method for forming a tampon from a tape material, in particular using a device according to one of claims 1 to 10, including the steps: a. provision of tape material; b. forming the strip material in stages using a plurality of rotating processing drums, in particular continuously rotating processing drums, wherein transmission from the first processing drum to the second processing drum is carried out continuously by means of a transfer wheel. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step-by-step forming of the strip material includes a winding step, a pressing step and a forming and/or smoothing step, and each of these steps is carried out on a specific continuously rotating processing drum. 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the processing drums move the product in the direction of movement at each stage of step-by-step molding. 15. The method according to one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the transfer wheel, when transferred from the first processing drum to the second processing drum, performs the following steps: a. introducing the pick-up into the transfer area of the first processing drum such that at least intermittently the pick-up receiving socket is in a coaxial arrangement with respect to the tool, and b. pushing the workpiece out of the tool into the receiving socket or from the receiving socket into the tool, in particular by displacing the ejector in the longitudinal direction of the tool or receiving socket. 16. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, wherein the ejector in step b) is located on an ejection drum which rotates parallel to the corresponding processing drum, so that the ejectors are each assigned to one respective tool. 17. Method according to one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the pick-up of the transmission wheel, when rotating, is guided by a guide curve, so that in the transmission area between the processing drum, in particular the processing drum tool, and the receiving seat there is a uniform speed along the trajectory. 18. The use of a transfer station (7) having radially located pick-ups (12), in particular a transfer wheel (7), for continuous transfer of the workpiece from the first processing drum (2, 4, 5.1, 5.2) to the second processing drum (4, 5.1 , 5.2) devices for making tampons or blanks.

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