US2352228A

US2352228A - Catamenial bandage making machine or the like

Info

Publication number: US2352228A
Application number: US257117A
Authority: US
Inventors: Schulman Louis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-02-18
Filing date: 1939-02-18
Publication date: 1944-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1961-06-27

Description

June 27, 1944. L, SCHULMAN 2,352,228

CATAMENIAL BANDAGE MAKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, E59 e sheets-shet 1 I INVENTOR. Oil/5 czc//mam IB" wf June 27, 1944. L.. scHULMAN CATAMENIAL BANDAGE MAKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE' 6 Sheets-sheet 2 Filed Feb? 18, 1939 INVENTOR. Chu/man.

I 'Zou/l5 ATTORNEY.

June 27, 1944. L, SCHULMAN 2,352,228

CATAMENIAL BANDAGE MAKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 I IN VEN TOR. /00/5 fica/mcm,

BY w l HW A TORNEY.

June 27, 1944.

L. scHULMAN CATAMENIAL BANDAGE MAKING MCHINE OR THE LIKE e sheets-sheet 4 Filed Feb. 18, 1939 mm W.. NL/m M. VU 0 N T i Dfw U OM June 27, 1944 L. scHULMAN I 2,352,228

CATAMENIL BANDAGE MAKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18. 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. [011/5 5050/0700.

BY f Avd-unf AT oRNEY.

June 27, 1944. L. SCHULMAN CATAMENIAL BANDAGE MAKING MACHINE OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 18, 1939 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 IN VEN TOR. 0a/'5 5cm/Man.

AT ORNEY Patented June 27, 1944 OATAMENII; BA'NnAGEMAKING MACHINEA OR LIKE Louis Schulman, Brooklyn, NaY., assigner of one- `third. to Maxwell E.' Sparrow, New York, N. Y.

Application' February 1s, 1939, serial No. 257,117

' Y 1o Clarins; .coi 154-29) This invention relates generally to improvements in bandages and their suspension means, particularly catamenial bandages; and more specifically to the making, folding and packaging of catamenial bandages.

In a catamem'al bandage or the so-called sanitary napkin, the thicknessl is not uniform throughout, its length. This non-uniformity in thickness is due to the practical requirement-of having the substantially thick absorbent portion of .the bandage at its intermediate area, and the thin tabs at its ends for suspension'thereof and for the comfort of the wearer.A I I This non-uniformity in the thickness of a catamem'al bandage presents a problem which must be considered in the production and packing thereof, particularly, when it is desired to provide a catamenial package in compact form-enabling; for instance, a woman to conveniently carry the same in her handbag or to permit the same to be dispensed from a vending machine. In the production and packaging of a catamenial bandage according to this invention, this problem is taken into consideration.

It is an object rto present a package containing a catamenial bandage in `compact form, by accordion-pleating or folding thel bandage 'and compressing the same into a small individual' package; thus enabling the package to be Vconveniently carriedin awomans handbag, or to be dispensed from a vending machine.

Further objects of the present invention reside in the provision of means for making 'catamnial bandages and also in the means for folding :and compressing the same into smallindividual packages. l u i f It is a further object of thepresent inventionl to provide an improved and novel combined bandage and suspension means or support there: for, which is practical, ecient, economicaland easily adjustable upon the wearer.

In addition to affording positivesecurity ith respect to the supporting 'of the bandage, 'the' present invention has the advantage .of providing instrumentalities for keepingthe ends of -the bandage in a spread andattenedcondition, the' spreading elect operating very materially to-re'- duce excessive bulkiness, rendering rthe Aconnect-v ing ends unusually at and compact."` 1 L,

It is a further object of the 'present Ainvention` to produce 'a bandage With'arsupporting Vmeansl` which will prevent the-'supported ends of.. the; bandage from gathering or puckerin'gl.-and thus allowing'the said ends to lie flatv against-the bcdyof thewearer.y f -1 f teners and supporters'.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a catamenial -device which will allow of proper adjustment upon the wearer, and which will avoid the use of common or conventional fas- It is a furither object of the present invention to provide a catamen'ial bandage which will remain flat against the-body or garment of the user, and not mar thegraceful lines of dresses, particularly tight-fitting ones, or destroy the effect of delicate sheer fabrics.

' Stillanother objectofthe present invention is to provide a nat-lying' catamenial bandage, which will not cause any discomfort to the wearer.

With the above and other objects in View, my invention4 comprises certain details of construction and varrangement of parts as will be hereinafter` more fully described, illustrated and claimed, reference being had in the accompanyingdrawings which form a part of this specification andin which:

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 isa front view of a sanitary belt and napkin or catamenial bandage embodying the invention, and shown as applied to a body.

Fig. 2 is a side View of Fig. 1. f ipFig. 3 is atop planview of a belt and napkin or bandage according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View 4 4 of Fig. 3. Y

Fig. 5 is a perspective Viewof a package containing the catamenial bandage folded into accordion pleats.v l

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view through the maken through line y package illustrated in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 ;is a sectional view through a napkin or bandage showing one typical way of folding the same.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view (partly-broken away) of the napkin shown inlig. 7 in-attened condition.

vFig. 8a.is a modified View of napkin adjacent Referring to the drawings and particularly to Figs. 1-4 which shows one example by which the invention may be realized, the numeral I indicates generally a catamenial bandage conventionally known as a sanitary napkin which may comprise a gauze shell II and a filler I2 of absorbent material which may be of the conventional type and which is located in the center portion of bandage or napkin I0, there being left the two free ends I3', I4. Shell II is formed by wrapping the gauze around the absorbent filler I2. The ends I3, I4 will, therefore, in this instance, consist of a plurality of layers of gauze. The filler I2 is held captive and prevented from shifting by the rows of stitches I5, I6. The free ends have folded-over portions I'I, I8 which are secured to the body of the ends by means of lines of stitching I 9, 28.

Each free end of the bandage I0 at its foldedover portion is provided with preferably two spaced-apart slots 2I, 22 through which an end of the belt 23 is laced. These slots 2|, 22 are preferably reinforced by stitches 24 and may be made in a conventional manner as by a buttonhole machine. Belt 23 is laced through the napkin I8 to provide a loop 25 on one side thereof, the belt ending on the other side of the napkin in two

free ends

25, 21 which, when the napkin is adjusted on the wearer, are tied together into a conventional knot or bow 28 (Fig. l) By lacing the belt 23 through the button-holes 2l, 22, the former will hold the ends of the napkin I0 flat against the body B of the wearer as indicated at 29 in Fig. l. Belt 23 preferably comprises an inexpensive narrow tape made ofk any suitable material, discardable with the napkin.

The belt may be made of elastic or inelastic material. Instead of the belt being looped at one end as at 25, it may be provided with two free ends (not shown) similar to the

ends

26, 27, so that, the tapes may be tied on eitherV side of the body to hold the bandagein suspension; or the belt may be provided with two looped portions or ends similar to 25, this being preferable particularly where elastic tape is employedas the suspension means.

By the construction hereinabove described there is provided a catamenial bandage which will not pucker or gather at the ends nor bulge thereat, but will remain flat against the body of the wearer and which will not be made manifest through the clothing.

Although the example heretofore described refers to the use of the invention as a catamenial bandage it is understood that the same is applicable where bandages are generally employed, particularly where it is desired that the bandage be kept flat against the body to avoid discomfort and irritation.

A means of packaging the device is shown in Figs. -7. The package is preferably rectangular in shape, although it may be formed into any other shape. The package is made very -compact by the means about to be described so that it can be conveniently carried byl the person or dispensed from a vending machine. For example, where theY bandage is in the form of a catamenial bandage, both it and its supporting means may be arranged to provide a package of a size approximately 2%" long by 5/5 wide by high, although the bandage is of conventional size.

n order to provide a very compact package the bandage may be transversely foldedintoi accordion pleats as clearly seen in Fig. 7. The accordion pleats 68 are preferably produced under pressure thereby reducing the dimensions of the bandage. The package P seen in Fig. 5 contains the bandage or napkin 58, in compressed accordion-pleated form and the suspension or supporting tape (not seen). The bandage and support may be wrapped rst in a covering 5I of tin foil over which is placed a label 52, the whole being then wrapped in a suitable, preferably transparent covering or Wrapper 53, such as, "Cellophane or other cellulose material. The tin foil wrapper 5I and the Cellophane cover 53 may be folded at the ends of the package as indicated at 54. In this embodiment in lieu of stitches I9, 2U there are provided the adhesive spots I9' (see Fig. 8a)

Fig. 8 shows a bandage 50 made in accordance with the invention, provided with the buttonholes 55 reinforced by the stitches 5B. The bandage further has the gauze shell 51 and absorbent ller 58, which may be conventional, the filler being held in place .by the stitches 59.

A machine or mechanism which may be employed to produce the aforesaid catamenial bandage or sanitary napkin, preparing the same in pleated and compressed form for the wrapping operation, and initially wrapping the same will now be described.

Referring rst generally to this machine, the absorbent material is contained on a spool of suitable diameter and is fed by a set of feed rolls operated intermittently through suitable crank or cam movement actuating a ratchet on said wheels. A predetermined 'portion of the absorbent material is fed up to a knife properly spaced and the cut-off portion (I2 of Figs. 3, 4 and 58 of Figs. 7, 8) is automatically deposited on a transfer plate. This transfer plate makes a movement and deposits the absorbent material in the center of the gauze.

The spool of gauze is located at right angles to the transfer plate so that the absorbent material is deposited on the gauze section proportionally to the length and width thereof.

The gauze is then drawn through a folder which folds the gauze longitudinally (having the section of absorbent material located thereon) into a flat tube of the proper size. The folded gauze is now drawn up to a knife by means of gripper jaws actuated by a segmental lever, which cuts the gauze to the proper length (indicated by the numeral II in Figs. 3, LPfand 5'I in Figs. 7, 8). This cut length is then deposited on a conveyer and is then brought to adhesive appliers which apply the adhesive (see I9' in Fig. 8a) on both ends of the cut gauze, simultaneously, by a system of segmental rol-ls which deposit the adhesive in predetermined spots. These adhesive spots are in lieu of the stitching. I9, 20. From there the conveyer carries the same to a set of folders which fold over the ends (II, I8 in Fig. 4) of the cut gauze, approximately one inch from the ends and is then fed to a Set of pressing rolls on each end to adhesively secure the folded down ends. The conveyer then feeds the cut gauze to a set of sewing machines which sew stitches (I5, I8, in Figs. 3, 4, and 59 of Figs. '7, 8) at each end of the absorbent material thereby preventing the absorbent material from shifting and securing, the same in position within the folded gauze. The now formed napkin is brought by the conveyer to a set of perforating knives located on either end of" saidv napkin and two or more'buttonhole openings (2|, 22 or 55) are perforated on each end of the napkin; after which the conveyer brings iti under a system of feed rolls which deposits a predetermined length of tape used as a means of securing the napkin to the body o-f the user. This `tape 23 is fed from aspool by means of intermittent feed rolls which provide the proper length and the tape is cut olf at that length. The conveyer then carries the napkin and the tape to a folder which folds the napkin transversely into three parts with the tape enclosed. The conveyer then carries the thus folded napkin to a lifting fork which deposits the napkin into a set of corrugated rolls. The corrugated rolls transversely corrugate, crease or pleat the napkin and deposit it on an inclined platform which is a part of the mold wherein the napkin is cornpressed. This platform is hingedat its lower end and when the napkin is deposited thereon by suitable means this platform is closed into a predetermined position within the walls. of this mold and becomes a rectangular box. s cends within this boX and presses the folded and pleated napkin into a compartment in a dial plate located'directly beneath the mold. v The dial plate then makes preferably one-sixth turn which brings the compressed napkin to the first stage of further compression. The reason for producing complete compression by stages is to relieve the napkin.l of the confined air therein. The next stop of compression brings the napkin to la smaller compass than what is required, thus allowing for the expansion of the napkin which takes place upon release of the pressure produced by the plunger. Then the compressed pleated napkin is brought under another plunger which deposits the napkin on a transfer member below the dial plate. This transfer member is stationary. A ram operated by suitable means elects it into a star wheel'which is a part of the wrapping mechanism. From this point on the compressed, pleated and paper-enfolded napkin is wrapped in any conventional manner. Referring now to .the drawings, Fig. 9 shows a plan view of the material feeding devices for the sanitary napkin or 'catamenial bandage. The numeral indicates a platform upon which is mounted a reel frame |0| on which is placed a mandrel |02. Mounted on mandrel |02 is a spool |03 carrying a roll of absorbent material |04. Mounted on frame work |06 by suitable brackets are the feed rol-ls |05 which are operated by a cam or eccentric |01 which in turn operates bar v|08 actuating ratchet |09. Knife arm ||0 is supported by bracket |00 mounted on platform |00; This knife severs the absorbent material after the proper amount has been fed, and is actuated by a pairv of bevel segments supported by bracket l2 mounted on platform |00. Crankplate ||3 'operates connecting rod 4 and operates segments Transfer plate |5 receives the cut absorbent material and by means of crankplate or cam |6 operating connecting rod |1 and segments ||8 makes a 180 turn and transfers the absorbent material onthe gauge in the proper location for the subsequent operations. This transfermember is supported on bracket 9 and is mounted on platform |00. is a power shaft and |2| is a pair of sprockets actuating chain |22' and supplying means to operate the aforementioned mechanisms.

|23 is a reel supporting, a mandrel |24 and holds a spool |25 containing a roll of gauze |26 and mounted on'platform |00. |21 indicates al folder in'a fixed position and by the simple act of drawing the gauze through the same will cause a three layer fold. The folder |21 is mounted on platformllltl...I -v

A plunger `de- A bracket |28 upon which is mounted knife |29 severs the folded gauze and makes the proper length of napkin. Bracket |28 is mounted on platform |00.

A gripping member |30 is carried on sliding bracket |3| which slides on guide rods |32, the same being held by bracket |33 mounted on platform |00. The function of gripping member |30 is accomplished through the action of the arm |34 operated by crank |35 which operates in the following manner. The arm |34 moves with a forward and backward motion through the rotation of the crank |35; the gripper jaws |30 are held open by suitable means through the forward movement and as it passes underneath the upper knife |29 the4 gripper jaws |30 close on the folded gauze |26' enclosing the absorbent material |04. On the return movement of the arm |34 the entire length of the napkin is drawn out, the gripper jaws |30 are opened and the end of the napkin is cut olf by knife |29 and is at the same time deposited on conveyer |36. An adhesive device |40 is located on each end of the napkin. The rotary appliers |40 print the proper amount of adhesive on each end and return to their places of rest thereby releasing the napkin to be carried by the conveyer |36 for the next step. Two rotary compression members |4| are hinged on its lower` end, and their function is to press down the two ends of the napkin to make the adhesive stick. Two conventional sewing ma.- chines |42 are operated by shaft |20 through sprockets and chains |43, the stitching of the machines secure by fastening the absorbent material in the gauze in its proper location and prevents shifting of the absorbent material .during the subsequent manipulations.

Two perforating members |44, one located on each end cut a multiple of slits on each end of the napkin through the adhesive cemented parts with the object of providing openings through which ,the tape can be passed. This mechanism is operated by chain and sprockets |45 from the main shaft |39, all of which is mounted on platform |00.

Conveyer |36 carries the napkin to folder |52 which folds the napkin in three parts transversely and encloses the tape therein, this folder |52 is operated through chain and sprockets (not shown) and driven by power shaft |39 and mounted on platform |00. Conveyer |36 carries the completely folded napkin to a forked lifting platform |53, the function of which is to lift the folded napkin from the conveyer |36 and deposit the front end to a pair of pleating corrugating or creasing rolls |54, the same rotating at a fast rate of speed and ejecting the napkin on an inclined plate |55 which is movable between side walls |56, This plate |55 is hinged at the bottom of the mold. After the deposit of the pleated napkin the inclined plate |55 is caused to close up by cam and lever action |51 and |58 and is followed by ram |59 shown in Fig. 12.

The compression ram |59 is actuated by segment |60 and powered by a device |6| comprising levers, connecting links, and eccentric, the

device being driven by chain and sprockets |6| and power shaft |39. The result of the compression rams (|59) action on the napkin is to compress the same in a pocket in the dial plate |62. The dial plate has six pockets and acts as a carrier for the compressed napkin in its step by step manipulations, and is actuated intermittently by the Geneva movement |63 driven by sprocket and chain |54 and power shaft |39.

The dial plate |62 rotating in clockwise direction brings the compressed napkin under the rams of the duplex press |65 which further compresses the napkin making the same ready for ejection by the mechanism |66 which is the fourth step of the compressing system. The mechanism |66 comprises the ejecting ram operated by lever |61 pivoted on the ram |80 of second press |65 and actuated by same. The duplex press |65 is driven by chain and sprockets |68 and powered by shaft |39. The completed compressed napkin is ejected in a receptacle located underneath the fourth pocket |8| of the dial plate |62 and is then further ejected into the star wheel |1| of the wrapping machine as shown in (Fig. 12) all of the foregoing being mounted on platform H39.

Fig. 12 is a side View of Fig. 11 showing details not seen on Fig. 11. |69 is the lever which actuates the ram Ili which ejects the compressed napkin into one of the pockets of the star wheel l I'H. |12 is a roll of wrapping material held in the reel |13 and supported by stand |14 mounted on platform Hlil. |15 is a system of feed rolls held by bracket |16. |11 is an adhesive box which gums the end of the wrapping material.

From this point on the wrapped bandage may be further packaged as desired in any suitable manner.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing L.;

from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and I therefore, desire the present embodiments to be considered in all respects as illustrated and not restrictive; reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and det posited on gauze material and the gauze material folded over the cut absorbent material, the combination of means for gripping the folded gauze, means for moving the gripping means to draw the folded gauze a predetermined distance for a cutting operation, means for cutting a predetermined length of said folded gauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for depositing adhesive on said bandage adjacent the ends thereof, means for folding over the ends of said bandage upon itself, means for pressing down said folded ends with the adhesive therebetween to form reinforced ends, means for perforating said bandage through said reinforced ends, means for depositing a predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding end portions of said bandage transversely over its intermediate portion and said tape.

2. In a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and deposited on gauze material and the gauze` material folded over the cut absorbent material, the combination of means for gripping the folded gauze, means for moving the gripping means to draw the folded gauze a predetermined distance for a cutting operation, means for cutting a predetermined length of said folded gauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for folding over the ends of said bandage upon itself, means for securing said ends in said folded over position to form reinforced ends for said bandage, means for perforating said bandage through said reinforced ends, means for depositing a predetermined length oftape upon said bandage, and means for folding end portions of said bandage transversely over its intermediate portion and said tape.

3. In a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and deposited on gauze material and the gauze material folded over the cut absorbent material, the ycombination of means for cutting a predetermined length of said folded gauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for folding over the ends of said bandage upon itself, means for securing said ends in said folded over position to form reinforced ends for said bandage, means for perforating said bandage through said reinforced ends, means for feeding tape, means for cutting a predetermined length of said tape, means for depositing said predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for fold-r ing end portions of said bandage transversely over its intermediate portion and said tape.

4. In a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and deposited on gauze material and the gauze material folded over the cut absorbent material, the combination of means for cutting a predetermined length of said folded gauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for-producing reinforced ends onsaid bandage, means for perforating said bandage through said reinforced ends, means for feeding tape, means for cutting a predetermined length of said tape, means for depositing said predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding end portions of said bandage transversely over its intermediate portion and said tape.

5. In a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and deposited on gauze material and the gauze material folded over the cut absorbent material, the combination of means for cutting a predetermined length of said folded gauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for feeding tape, means for cutting a predetermined length of said tape, means for depositing said predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding end portions of said bandage transversely over` its intermediate portion and said tape.

6. In` a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and deposited on gauze material and the gauze material folded over the cut absorbent material, the combination of means for cutting a predetermined length of said foldedgauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for producing reinforced ends on said bandage, means for feeding tape, means for cutting a predetermined length of said tape, means for depositing said predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding end portions of said bandage transversely over its intermediate portion and said tape.

7. In a catamenial bandage making machine wherein absorbent material is fed, cut and deposited on gauge material and the gauze material folded over the cut absorbent material, the combination of means for gripping the folded gauze, means for moving said gripping means to draw the folded gauze a predetermined distance for a cutting operation, means for cutting a predetermined length of said folded gauze for producing a catamenial bandage, means for feeding tape, means for cutting a predetermined length of said tape, means for depositing said predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding end portions of said bandage transversely over its intermediate portion and said tape.

8. A bandage making machine comprising means for feeding absorbent material, means for feeding gauze or the like, means for depositing said material on said gauze and including a transfer member, means for folding said gauze longitudinally over said material into a substantially fiat tube, means for depositing a predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding said bandage over said tape.

9. A bandage-making machine comprising means for feeding absorbent material, means for feeding gauze or the like, means for depositing said material on said gauze, means for folding said gauze longitudinally over said material into a substantially at tube, means for depositing a predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding said bandage over said tape.

l0. A bandage-making machine comprising means for feeding absorbent material, means for feeding gauze or the like, means for depositing said material on said gauze, means for folding said gauze longitudinally over said material into a substantially flat tube, means for securing the folds of said gauze adjacent the ends of said material to prevent endwise shifting of said material, means for depositing a predetermined length of tape upon said bandage, and means for folding said bandage over said tape.

LOUIS SCI-IULMAN.