WO2010013605A1 - タンポンの製造装置及びタンポンの製造方法 - Google Patents
タンポンの製造装置及びタンポンの製造方法 Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2010013605A1 WO2010013605A1 PCT/JP2009/062938 JP2009062938W WO2010013605A1 WO 2010013605 A1 WO2010013605 A1 WO 2010013605A1 JP 2009062938 W JP2009062938 W JP 2009062938W WO 2010013605 A1 WO2010013605 A1 WO 2010013605A1
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- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- tampon
- outer cylinder
- cylinder
- opening
- storage cylinder
- Prior art date
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/20—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
- A61F13/2082—Apparatus or processes of manufacturing
- A61F13/2085—Catamenial tampons
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
- A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
- A61F13/20—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/24—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors orientating the articles
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65G—TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS
- B65G47/00—Article or material-handling devices associated with conveyors; Methods employing such devices
- B65G47/22—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors
- B65G47/26—Devices influencing the relative position or the attitude of articles during transit by conveyors arranging the articles, e.g. varying spacing between individual articles
Definitions
- Part 1 The present invention relates to a tampon manufacturing apparatus and a tampon manufacturing method.
- the present invention relates to a tampon manufacturing method and a tampon manufacturing apparatus.
- a tampon body a housing cylinder that houses the tampon body and includes an opening formed at a tip and a plurality of petal-like portions surrounding the opening, and the tampon body that is movable in the housing cylinder
- the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tampon having an extrusion member that pushes out the opening from the opening to the outside of the storage cylinder, and an apparatus for manufacturing the tampon.
- the present invention relates to a tampon manufacturing apparatus and a tampon manufacturing method.
- a tampon main body, a storage cylinder for storing the tampon main body, and an extrusion member that moves inside the storage cylinder and pushes the tampon main body out of the storage cylinder are provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder.
- the present invention relates to a tampon manufacturing apparatus including a plurality of petal-like portions and a method for manufacturing the tampon.
- Tampons sanitary tampons
- the tampon is, for example, an absorbent body that absorbs liquid such as menstrual blood, a cylindrical housing member that houses the absorbent body, and moves inside the housing member to push the absorbent body out of the housing member. And an extrusion member.
- the absorbent body is introduced into the vaginal cavity by pushing out the absorbent body with the pushing member.
- the absorber introduce
- Part 2 A tampon main body, a storage cylinder that houses the tampon main body and includes an opening formed at a tip and a plurality of petal-like portions surrounding the opening; and is movable in the storage cylinder;
- a tampon having an extrusion member that pushes out of the storage cylinder from an opening is widely known as a sanitary product (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
- Part 3 A tampon main body, a storage cylinder for storing the tampon main body, and an extruding member that moves in the storage cylinder and pushes the tampon main body out of the storage cylinder.
- Tampons having a petal-like portion are widely known as sanitary products (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
- the tampon is manufactured by manufacturing each of the tampon main body, the storage cylinder, and the extrusion member constituting the tampon, and inserting the extrusion member and the tampon main body into the storage cylinder.
- a tampon manufacturing apparatus may be provided with a supply mechanism for supplying the manufactured storage cylinder.
- the supply mechanism is provided with a transport path for transporting the storage cylinder.
- the conveyance path conveys the storage cylinder
- the storage cylinder is supplied to a predetermined supply destination.
- the transport path receives from the first transport path a first transport path that transports the storage cylinder in a first transport direction along a longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder, and a storage cylinder that has moved on the first transport path.
- a second transport path for transporting the storage cylinder in a second transport direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder may be provided.
- the second transport path includes a receiving unit that receives the storage cylinder from the first transport path. The storage cylinder that has moved on the first transport path moves on the second transport path after being received by the receiving portion.
- Part 1 In the manufacture of the tampon having the above-described configuration, first, components of the tampon (absorber, housing member, extrusion member) are manufactured. Thereafter, the manufactured components are respectively supplied to a conveyor, etc., and the extrusion member and the absorber are inserted into the accommodating member in the conveyor to assemble a tampon. In order to properly assemble the tampon, it is necessary to align the direction of each component in a predetermined direction and supply it to the conveyor. By the way, in consideration of the operability of the tampon, etc., the housing member described above is provided with a small diameter portion at one end and a large diameter portion having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion at the other end. There is.
- Part 2 By the way, in order to improve the production speed of the tampon, it is required to smoothly insert the tampon body and the pushing member into the storage cylinder.
- the plurality of petal-like portions provided in the storage cylinder may fall inward in the radial direction of the storage cylinder due to a collision between the storage cylinders or the like. If the plurality of petal-like portions are tilted inward in the radial direction of the storage cylinder, the opening serving as an insertion port for inserting the tampon main body and the extrusion member is narrowed, so that the tampon main body and the extrusion member are stored. It becomes difficult to insert into the cylinder.
- This invention is made
- Part 3 By the way, in the above configuration, if the receiving unit further receives the storage cylinder in a state where the receiving cylinder already has the storage cylinder, the storage cylinder may not be supplied appropriately. More specifically, when the receiving unit further receives the storage cylinder in a state where the receiving cylinder already has the storage cylinder, the storage cylinder cannot be accommodated on the second conveyance path. More specifically, when the receiving unit tries to receive a storage cylinder in a state where the receiving unit already has the storage cylinder, a plurality of storage cylinders are stacked in front of the receiving unit (that is, the end portion of the first conveyance path). To go. At this time, the storage cylinders are stacked in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder.
- the other storage cylinder (specifically, the other end in the longitudinal direction of the other storage cylinder) is fitted into the storage cylinder in which each of the petal-like portions has fallen outward. (See, for example, FIG. 45). That is, when a plurality of storage cylinders are stacked in front of the receiving unit, the storage cylinders may be connected to each other. And under the situation where storage cylinders connected, it will become difficult to supply this storage cylinder appropriately. Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to appropriately supply a storage cylinder.
- the main invention for achieving the above object is: An absorbent body that absorbs liquid; a cylindrical housing member that houses the absorbent body; and an extrusion member that moves through the housing member and pushes the absorbent body out of the housing member.
- a tampon manufacturing apparatus in which a small diameter portion is provided at one end portion and a large diameter portion having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion is provided at the other end portion, An alignment mechanism for aligning the orientation of the housing members; A first insertion mechanism for inserting the pushing member into the housing member whose direction is aligned by the alignment mechanism; A second insertion mechanism for inserting the absorber into the housing member into which the push member is inserted;
- the alignment mechanism is An opening for throwing in the housing member; A pair of opposing first protrusions located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and projecting toward the inside of the opening; A pair of opposing second convex portions located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and projecting toward the inside of the opening; The distance between the pair
- the main present invention is: A tampon main body, a storage cylinder that houses the tampon main body and includes an opening formed at a tip and a plurality of petal-like portions surrounding the opening; and is movable in the storage cylinder; A method for producing a tampon having an extrusion member pushed out of the storage cylinder from an opening, A step of expanding the opening by bending each of the plurality of petal-like portions outward in the radial direction of the storage cylinder with respect to the storage cylinder; Inserting the pushing member into the storage cylinder from the opening after performing the spreading process; And a step of inserting the tampon main body into the storage cylinder from the opening after performing the spreading process.
- the main present invention is: A tampon main body, a storage cylinder for storing the tampon main body, and an extruding member that moves in the storage cylinder and pushes the tampon main body out of the storage cylinder.
- An apparatus for producing a tampon with a petal-like portion A supply mechanism for supplying the storage cylinder; An insertion mechanism for inserting the tampon body and the pushing member into the storage cylinder supplied by the supply mechanism;
- the supply mechanism is A first transport path for transporting the storage tube in a first transport direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage tube; A second transport path for transporting the storage cylinder in a second transport direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder;
- the second transport path is A receiving section for receiving the storage cylinder that has moved on the first transport path from the first transport path; A side wall formed at the end opposite to the side where the storage cylinder is passed from the first transport path to the receiving unit in the first transport direction; An outlet for forming the storage cylinder out of the second conveying path, formed on the side wall;
- the side wall holds the storage tube received by the receiving unit when the receiving unit does not have the storage tube, and the receiving unit receives the storage tube when the receiving unit has the storage tube.
- the housing member can be supplied accurately and quickly when the tampon is manufactured.
- Part 2 According to the present invention, it is possible to smoothly insert the tampon main body and the pushing member into the storage cylinder.
- the storage cylinder can be appropriately supplied.
- FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of the tampon 1001 in a state where the inner cylinder 1020 is contracted.
- FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the tampon 1001 with the inner cylinder 1020 extended.
- FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon 1001.
- FIG. 2B is a diagram showing details of the assembly process.
- 3A to 3D are transition diagrams showing how the tampon 1001 is assembled.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an assembly device 1040 for a tampon 1001. It is a perspective view which shows the direction alignment mechanism 1060 and its peripheral part. 5 is a top view of an orientation aligning plate 1061.
- FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of the tampon 1001 in a state where the inner cylinder 1020 is contracted.
- FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the tampon 1001 with the inner cylinder
- FIG. 7A and 7B are views showing the positional relationship between the outer cylinder 1011 and the orientation aligning plate 1061 when the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted into the opening 1062.
- 8A to 8D are diagrams for explaining a mechanism for aligning the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011.
- FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a tampon 1001 according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 9B is a front view of the outer cylinder 1011. It is the schematic diagram which showed the fall shooter 1045 and its peripheral part which concern on 2nd Embodiment.
- FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view of drop shooter 1045 when viewed in the Y direction shown in FIG. FIG.
- FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing components of a tampon 2010.
- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing components of a tampon 2010.
- FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 1st inner cylinder 2051 and the 2nd inner cylinder 2052 are connected.
- 15A and 15B are external views of the outer cylinder 2040.
- FIG. FIG. 15C is a view of the outer cylinder 2040 shown in FIG. 15A as viewed from the distal end side. 2 is an external view of a first inner cylinder 2051.
- FIG. It is an external view of the second inner cylinder 2052.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon 2010.
- 19A to 19D are transition diagrams showing how the tampon 2010 is manufactured. It is a figure which shows typically the assembly apparatus 2100 which assembles the tampon 2010.
- FIG. 11 is a view showing a state where an outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on a mounting table 2160.
- FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram showing the first pusher unit 2151.
- FIG. 22B is a schematic diagram showing the second pusher unit 2152. It is an external view of the pusher 2200. It is an external view of the pusher 2210.
- 25A to 25D are explanatory diagrams of the spreading process. It is an external view of a preliminary pusher 2230.
- FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an assembly flow of the tampon 2010. It is a figure which shows the structure which performs an expansion process simultaneously with respect to the some outer cylinder 2040.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing components of a tampon 3010.
- FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing components of a tampon 3010.
- FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the 1st inner cylinder 3051 and the 2nd inner cylinder 3052 are connected.
- 32A and 32B are external views of the outer cylinder 3040.
- FIG. FIG. 32C is a view of the outer cylinder 3040 shown in FIG. 32A as viewed from the distal end side. It is an external view of the first inner cylinder 3051.
- FIG. 35A and FIG. 35B are diagrams showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon 3010.
- 36A to 36D are transition diagrams showing how the tampon 3010 is manufactured. It is a figure which shows typically the assembly apparatus 3100 which assembles the tampon 3010.
- FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of a supply mechanism 3120 illustrated in FIG. 37. It is the top view which looked at the supply mechanism 3120 from upper direction.
- 40A and 40B are diagrams showing the outer cylinder setting portion 3123.
- FIG. It is a figure which shows the arrangement position of the alignment mechanism 3170.
- FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alignment mechanism 3170.
- FIG. It is a figure which shows a mode that the outer cylinder 3040 passes the hole 3171 of the alignment mechanism 3170.
- FIG. It is an enlarged view of the part to which the symbol Y was attached
- 44A and 44B are views showing a state when the receiving unit 3231 receives the outer cylinder 3040.
- FIG. It is the figure which showed the comparative example for demonstrating the effectiveness of the assembly apparatus 3100 of this embodiment.
- Part 1 An absorbent body that absorbs liquid; a cylindrical housing member that houses the absorbent body; and an extrusion member that moves through the housing member and pushes the absorbent body out of the housing member.
- a tampon manufacturing apparatus in which a small diameter portion is provided at one end portion and a large diameter portion having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion is provided at the other end portion, An alignment mechanism for aligning the orientation of the housing members; A first insertion mechanism for inserting the pushing member into the housing member whose direction is aligned by the alignment mechanism; A second insertion mechanism for inserting the absorber into the housing member into which the push member is inserted;
- the alignment mechanism is An opening for throwing in the housing member; A pair of opposing first protrusions located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and projecting toward the inside of the opening; A pair of opposing second convex portions located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and projecting toward the inside of the opening; The distance between the pair of first convex portions is larger than
- the above-described relationship is established for the large-diameter portion, the small-diameter portion, the interval between the first convex portions, and the interval between the second convex portions, whereby the small-diameter portion becomes the large-diameter portion. It becomes easier to pass through the opening earlier. As a result, the orientation of the housing member is automatically aligned, so that the housing member can be supplied accurately and quickly.
- the large-diameter portion has a plurality of petal-like portions at the tip, With respect to the housing member introduced into the opening so that the longitudinal direction of the housing member is along the longitudinal direction of the opening, The other of the pair of first protrusions and the pair of second protrusions may be provided at a position in contact with a portion closer to the center than the petal-like portion in the longitudinal direction of the housing member. desirable. In such a case, since the petal-shaped portion does not contact the convex portion, for example, the petal-shaped portion is deformed or the like and passes between the convex portions (that is, the large-diameter portion passes between the convex portions). Can be prevented.
- the housing member when the housing member is put into the opening, the portion of the housing member that comes into contact with the other convex portion (the housing member rotates around this portion and passes through the opening) Since it is located on the distal end side of the large diameter portion, it becomes easier to pass through the opening from the distal end side of the opposite small diameter portion, and as a result, the small diameter portion easily passes through the opening earlier than the large diameter portion. Become.
- the housing member has an annular protrusion on the end side of the small diameter portion,
- the outer diameter of the annular protrusion is larger than the interval between the pair of first convex portions, and larger than the interval between the pair of second convex portions,
- the housing member introduced into the opening so that the longitudinal direction of the housing member is along the longitudinal direction of the opening. It is desirable that the one of the pair of first protrusions and the pair of second protrusions is provided at a position that does not contact the annular protrusion.
- the annular protrusion does not become an obstacle when the small diameter portion passes between the protrusions by providing the protrusion at a position where the protrusion does not contact the annular protrusion. Therefore, the small diameter portion is easily discharged before the large diameter portion.
- the alignment mechanism is A first injection unit that is provided at a position facing the first convex part and injects air toward the first convex part; It is desirable to include a second injection unit that is provided at a position facing the second convex part and injects air toward the second convex part. In such a case, the time for the housing member to pass through the opening is shortened by the flow of air ejected by the ejection unit, so that the housing member can be supplied more quickly.
- the accommodating member is thrown into the opening in a posture in which the large-diameter portion abuts against the pair of first convex portions or the pair of second convex portions after being thrown.
- the accommodating member abuts on the convex portion when being introduced into the opening, even if the large-diameter portion is introduced into the opening prior to the small-diameter portion, the small-diameter portion precedes the large-diameter portion. Therefore, the direction of the accommodating member can be surely aligned.
- the opening is formed in a rectangular shape
- the distance between the edge on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and the first convex portion in the longitudinal direction is the length between the edge on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening and the second convex portion. Desirably equal to the distance in the direction.
- a case where the large diameter portion abuts on the first convex portion and a case where the large diameter portion abuts on the second convex portion can be considered.
- the first convex portion and the second convex portion are provided at equal distances from the edge of the opening in the longitudinal direction. Can be properly aligned.
- the housing includes an absorber that absorbs liquid, a cylindrical housing member that houses the absorber, and an extrusion member that moves through the housing member and pushes the absorber out of the housing member.
- a tampon manufacturing method in which a small diameter portion is provided at one end of a member and a large diameter portion having a larger outer diameter than the small diameter portion is provided at the other end, A step of aligning the orientation of the housing member by an alignment mechanism; A step of inserting the absorber and the pushing member into the accommodating member whose direction is aligned by the aligning mechanism by an insertion mechanism;
- the alignment mechanism is An opening for throwing in the housing member; A pair of first protrusions protruding toward the inside of the opening; A pair of second protrusions protruding toward the inside of the opening, The distance between the pair of first convex portions is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion and smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion, The distance between the pair of second convex portions is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter
- a featured tampon manufacturing method is provided. According to such a tampon manufacturing method, since the small-diameter portion is discharged from the opening before the large-diameter portion, the orientation of the accommodating member is automatically aligned, so that the accommodating member is conveyed accurately and quickly. It becomes possible.
- FIG. 1A is a partial cross-sectional view of the tampon 1001 in a state where the inner cylinder 1020 is contracted.
- FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the tampon 1001 with the inner cylinder 1020 extended.
- the side inserted into the vaginal cavity is referred to as the front end side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear end side.
- the tampon 1001 is a sanitary product having a tampon body 1004 and an applicator 1010.
- the tampon main body 1004 has an absorber 1005 and a cord 1008.
- the absorbent body 1005 is a cotton body that closes the vaginal cavity and absorbs liquid such as menstrual blood.
- the absorbent body 1005 is formed by cutting a cotton band whose both surfaces are covered with a nonwoven fabric, and heat-molding it into a substantially bullet shape.
- the cord 1008 extends from the rear end side of the absorbent body 1005 while being sewn to the absorbent body 1005. The cord 1008 is held by the user when the absorber 1005 in the vaginal cavity is pulled out of the vaginal cavity.
- the applicator 1010 is an auxiliary tool for introducing the tampon main body 1004 (specifically, the absorber 1005) into the vaginal cavity.
- the applicator 1010 is an example of an outer cylinder 1011 that is an example of a cylindrical housing member that houses the absorber 1005, and an inner member that is an example of an extrusion member that moves inside the outer cylinder 1011 and pushes the absorber 1005 out of the outer cylinder 1011.
- a cylinder 1020 is an example of an outer cylinder 1011 that is an example of a cylindrical housing member that houses the absorber 1005, and an inner member that is an example of an extrusion member that moves inside the outer cylinder 1011 and pushes the absorber 1005 out of the outer cylinder 1011.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded using a thermoplastic resin, and has flexibility.
- the outer cylinder 1011 includes a small-diameter portion 1012 provided at the rear end portion (one end portion) and a large-diameter portion 1013 provided at the front end portion (the other end portion) and having a larger outer diameter than the small-diameter portion 1012. .
- the small diameter portion 1012 is a grip portion that is held by the user when the tampon 1001 is used.
- the large diameter portion 1013 has a larger inner diameter than the outer diameter of the absorber 1005, and is a portion that accommodates the absorber 1005 therein. The large diameter portion 1013 is inserted into the vaginal cavity in a state where the absorber 1005 is accommodated when the tampon 1001 is used.
- the outer cylinder 1011 (specifically, the large diameter portion 1013) has a tip opening 1014 formed at the tip thereof and a plurality of petal-like portions 1015 surrounding the tip opening 1014.
- Each of the plurality of petal-like portions 1015 is bent in an arc shape inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 1011 when the tampon 1001 is shipped. For this reason, when the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted into the vaginal cavity, the distal end portion of the large diameter portion 1013 has a substantially hemispherical shape, and the distal end opening 1014 is in a substantially closed state.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is positioned at the rear end opening 1016 (see FIG. 3A) formed at the rear end thereof and slightly on the front end side than the rear end opening 1016 (located on the rear end side from the small diameter portion 1012).
- an annular protrusion (annular rib) 1017 is formed between the small diameter portion 1012 and the large diameter portion 1013.
- the inner cylinder 1020 is a cylinder inserted into the small diameter portion 1012.
- the inner cylinder 1020 is located on the rear end side with respect to the absorber 1005 accommodated in the large diameter portion 1013, and pushes the absorber 1005 from the rear toward the tip opening 1014.
- the absorber 1005 (tampon main body 1004) is pushed out of the large diameter portion 1013 while pushing each of the plurality of petal-like portions 1015 outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 1011.
- the cord 1008 passes through the inner cylinder 1020 and is drawn from the opening on the rear end side of the inner cylinder 1020.
- the inner cylinder 1020 of the present embodiment has a two-stage structure that can be expanded and contracted in order to make the overall length of the tampon 1001 compact. Specifically, the inner cylinder 1020 has a first inner cylinder 1021 and a second inner cylinder 1025 slidably inserted into the first inner cylinder.
- the first inner cylinder 1021 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 1012 and is inserted into the small diameter portion 1012.
- An annular flange 1022 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the first inner cylinder 1021.
- the flange portion 1022 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 1013 (larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 1012), and is locked by the inner surface of the step 1018 of the outer cylinder 1011. 1020 is prevented from falling off the rear end opening 1016 of the outer cylinder 1011.
- An annular protrusion 1023 that protrudes inward in the radial direction is formed on the rear end side of the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder 1021.
- the second inner cylinder 1025 has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder 1021.
- the second inner cylinder 1025 is inserted into the first inner cylinder 1021 as shown in FIG. 1A when the inner cylinder 1020 is contracted, and the second inner cylinder 1025 as shown in FIG. 1B when the inner cylinder 1020 is extended.
- the front end portion of the inner cylinder 1025 is connected to the rear end portion of the first inner cylinder 1021.
- an arcuate flange portion 1026 and a convex portion 1027 located on the rear end side of the flange portion 1026 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the second inner cylinder 1025.
- first inner cylinder 1021 When the annular protrusion 1023 of the first inner cylinder 1021 is positioned between the flange portion 1026 and the convex portion 1027 as shown in FIG.
- the first inner cylinder 1021 and the second inner cylinder 1025 are connected.
- a flared portion 1028 is formed at the rear end portion of the second inner cylinder 1025.
- the outer diameter of the flared portion 1028 is larger than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder 1021.
- FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon 1001.
- FIG. 2B is a diagram showing details of the assembly process.
- 3A to 3D are transition diagrams showing how the tampon 1001 is assembled. Below, the manufacturing method of the tampon 1001 is demonstrated for every process (step S1010, step S1020, step S1030, step S1040, and step S1050).
- Step S1010 First, after covering both sides of a cotton band with a nonwoven fabric, the cotton band is cut. Next, a cord is sewn to the cut cotton band with a sewing thread. Then, the cotton band to which the cord is sewn is pressed so as to form a substantially bullet-like cotton body, and then heat-molded. Thereby, the tampon main body 1004 having the absorber 1005 and the cord 1008 is manufactured.
- Step S1020 The outer cylinder 1011 and the inner cylinder 1020 (the first inner cylinder 1021 and the second inner cylinder 1025) are respectively injection molded by an injection molding machine.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is injection molded using a thermoplastic resin.
- the outer cylinder 1011 at the time of manufacture is in a state where each of the plurality of petal-like portions 1015 is open (a state where the tip opening 1014 is open) (see FIG. 3A). Further, the flared portion 1028 is not formed at the rear end portion of the second inner cylinder 1025 (see FIG. 3B).
- Step S1030 The manufactured tampon main body 1004, outer cylinder 1011 and inner cylinder 1020 (first inner cylinder 1021 and second inner cylinder 1025) are assembled by an assembling apparatus 1040 (details will be described later) which is an example of a manufacturing apparatus for the tampon 1001. It is done.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is supplied to the transport conveyor (step S1031).
- the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 being supplied is aligned (step S1032).
- the first inner cylinder 1021 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 whose orientation is aligned (step S1033).
- the first inner cylinder 1021 is inserted from the distal end opening 1014 of the outer cylinder 1011.
- the second inner cylinder 1025 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 into which the inner cylinder 1021 has been inserted (step S1034). Thereby, the applicator 1010 is assembled.
- the tampon main body 1004 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 (step 1035).
- the cord 1008 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 first.
- the absorber 1005 is accommodated in the large diameter portion 1013.
- step S1032 corresponds to a process of aligning the direction of the outer cylinder 1011 by the orientation aligning mechanism 1060 (described later), and steps S1033 to S1035 are aligned by the tampon main body insertion portion 1070 (described later). This corresponds to the step of inserting the absorber 1005 and the inner cylinder 1020 into the outer cylinder 1011 whose direction is aligned by the mechanism 1060.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an assembling apparatus 1040 for the tampon 1001.
- the assembling apparatus 1040 includes an outer cylinder supply unit 1041, a transfer conveyor 1050, a first inner cylinder supply unit 1051, a second inner cylinder supply unit 1052, and a tampon main body insertion unit 1070.
- the conveyance conveyor 1050 is for conveying the outer cylinder 1011 and each article (the first inner cylinder 1021, the second inner cylinder 1025, and the tampon main body 1004) inserted in the outer cylinder 1011 in the conveying direction.
- a fixing base (not shown) for fixing the outer cylinder 1011 is provided on the transport conveyor 1050. As the fixed base is transported by the transport conveyor 1050, the outer cylinder 1011 and the like fixed to the fixed base are transported in the transport direction.
- the outer cylinder supply unit 1041 is for supplying the outer cylinder 1011 to the conveyor 1050.
- the outer cylinder supply unit 1041 includes an outer cylinder conveyance feeder 1042 and a conveyance path 1043 through which the supplied outer cylinder 1011 is conveyed.
- the outer cylinder conveyance feeder 1042 is a parts feeder having a bowl-shaped vibrating table 1042a.
- the outer cylinder conveyance feeder 1042 conveys the outer cylinder 1011 to the conveyance path 1043 by vibrating the vibrating table 1042a.
- accumulation parts 1044 and 1046 for accumulating the outer cylinder 1011 being conveyed are arranged side by side.
- the plurality of outer cylinders 1011 accumulated in the accumulation units 1044 and 1046 are arranged side by side.
- a dropping shooter 1045 for dropping the outer cylinder 1011 is provided between the stacking units 1044 and 1046.
- an outer cylinder setting unit (not shown) for setting the outer cylinder 1011 accumulated in the accumulating unit 1046 to a fixed base of the conveying conveyor 1050 is provided at the end of the conveying path 1043.
- An orientation aligning mechanism 1060 (details will be described later) is provided at the entrance of the drop shooter 1045 to align the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 thrown into the drop shooter 1045.
- the outer cylinders 1011 which are conveyed through the conveyance path 1043 and accumulated in the accumulating unit 1044 sequentially drop the drop shooter 1045 (at this time, the direction of the outer cylinder 1011 is aligned). ).
- the outer cylinder 1011 that has passed through the drop shooter 1045 is accumulated in the accumulation unit 1046.
- the outer cylinder 1011 accumulated in the accumulation unit 1046 is set on the fixed base of the transfer conveyor 1050 by the outer cylinder setting unit.
- the 1st inner cylinder supply part 1051 is for supplying the 1st inner cylinder 1021 inserted in the outer cylinder 1011 currently conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 1050 to the conveyance conveyor 1050.
- the first inner cylinder supply unit 1051 includes an inner cylinder conveyance feeder 1053 and a conveyance tube 1054.
- the inner cylinder conveyance feeder 1053 is a parts feeder having a bowl-shaped vibrating table 1053a.
- a pair of rails 1055 forming a part of the conveyance path of the first inner cylinder 1021 is attached to the inner cylinder conveyance feeder 1053.
- a space for sandwiching the first inner cylinder 1021 is formed between the pair of rails 1055.
- the flange portion 1022 of the first inner cylinder 1021 sandwiched between the spaces is hooked on the upper portions of the pair of rails 1055, and the first inner cylinder 1021 is conveyed in a state of being suspended from the pair of rails 1055.
- the first inner cylinder 1021 transported by the pair of rails 1055 falls on the transport tube 1054 with its front end positioned above the rear end.
- An inner cylinder insertion mechanism (not shown) for inserting the first inner cylinder 1021 into the outer cylinder 1011 is provided at the end of the transfer tube 1054.
- This inner cylinder insertion mechanism presses the first inner cylinder 1021 that has fallen in the conveyance tube 1054 and moves it to the outer cylinder 1011 when the outer cylinder 1011 being conveyed by the conveyor 1050 is positioned below the inner cylinder insertion mechanism. insert. That is, the first inner cylinder 1021 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 as shown in FIG. 3A.
- the transport tube 1054 and the inner cylinder insertion mechanism correspond to the first insertion mechanism.
- 2nd inner cylinder supply part 1052 supplies the 2nd inner cylinder 1025 inserted in the outer cylinder 1011 currently conveyed in the state in which the 1st inner cylinder 1021 was inserted to the conveyance conveyor 1050. Since the configuration of the second inner cylinder supply unit 1052 is the same as that of the first inner cylinder supply unit 1051, the description thereof is omitted.
- the second inner cylinder 1025 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 by the second inner cylinder supply unit 1052 as shown in FIG. 3B.
- the tampon main body insertion portion 1070 (an example of a second insertion mechanism) is for inserting the absorber 1005 (tampon main body 1004) into the outer cylinder 1011 in which the first inner cylinder 1021 and the second inner cylinder 1025 are inserted. is there.
- the tampon main body insertion portion 1070 includes a guide portion 1071 that guides insertion of the tampon main body 1004 into the outer cylinder 1011, and a pin 1072 that pushes the tampon main body 1004 out of the guide portion 1071.
- the guide part 1071 also has a function of holding the tampon main body 1004.
- the tampon main body 1004 in the guide portion 1071 is held in a state where the cord 1008 is positioned below the absorber 1005.
- the tampon main body insertion portion 1070 pushes out the tampon main body 1004 held by the guide portion 1071 by the pin 1072 when the outer cylinder 1011 being conveyed by the conveyance conveyor 1050 is positioned below the guide portion 1071. As a result, the tampon main body 1004 is inserted into the outer cylinder 1011 as shown in FIG. 3C.
- step S1030 As a result of the assembly process (step S1030) being performed by the assembly apparatus 1040 configured as described above, the first inner cylinder 1021, the second inner cylinder 1025, and the tampon body 1004 are appropriately inserted into the outer cylinder 1011. .
- Step S1040 a bending process is performed in which the petal-like portion 1015 of the open state of the outer cylinder 1011 is bent in an arc shape inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 1011.
- molds the flare-like part 1028 in the rear-end part of the 2nd inner cylinder 1025 is performed in the case of an assembly process (step S1030).
- the tampon 1001 shown in FIG. 3D is formed.
- Step S1050 The tampon 1001 that has been processed is inserted into a wrapping paper that has been processed into a cylindrical shape, and the tampon 1001 is packaged. Thereafter, the packaged tampons 1001 are boxed. Thereby, the manufacture of the tampon 1001 is completed and shipped later.
- FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the orientation aligning mechanism 1060 and its periphery.
- FIG. 6 is a top view of the orientation aligning plate 1061.
- 7A and 7B are views showing the positional relationship between the outer cylinder 1011 and the orientation aligning plate 1061 when the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted into the opening 1062.
- the orientation aligning mechanism 1060 is provided at the entrance of the drop shooter 1045 and includes an orientation aligning plate 1061, a first injection unit 1067, and a second injection unit 1068.
- the orientation aligning plate 1061 After demonstrating the structure of the orientation aligning plate 1061, the structure of the 1st injection part 1067 and the 2nd injection part 1068 is demonstrated.
- the orientation aligning plate 1061 is a rectangular flat plate provided at the entrance of the drop shooter 1045.
- the outer cylinders 1011 accumulated side by side in the accumulating unit 1044 are put into the orientation aligning plate 1061 so that the directions of the outer cylinders 1011 are aligned.
- the orientation aligning plate 1061 includes an opening 1062 into which the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted, a first convex portion 1063 projecting toward the inside of the opening 1062, and a second convex portion 1064.
- the opening 1062 is a rectangular opening and is formed slightly larger than the size of the outer cylinder 1011.
- Outer cylinders 1011 that have been transported through transport path 1043 and stacked in stacking unit 1044 are sequentially inserted into opening 1062.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted so that the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 1011 is along the longitudinal direction of the opening 1062 as shown in FIG. 7A or 7B.
- the outer cylinder 1011 closest to the opening 1062 among the outer cylinders 1011 accumulated in the accumulation unit 1044 shown in FIG. 5 is inserted as shown in FIG. 7A, and the outer cylinder 1011 second closest to the opening 1062 is It is loaded as shown in FIG. 7B.
- the 1st convex part 1063 is located in the one end side in the longitudinal direction of the opening 1062, and is a pair of convex part which opposes. As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the distance between the pair of first convex portions 1063 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 1012 of the outer cylinder 1011 and smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 1013. Further, the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 1017 of the outer cylinder 1011 is larger than the distance between the pair of first convex portions 1063. For this reason, the large diameter portion 1013 and the annular protrusion 1017 cannot pass between the pair of first convex portions 1063, whereas the small diameter portion 1012 can pass between the pair of first convex portions 1063.
- the 2nd convex part 1064 is located in the other end side in the longitudinal direction of opening 1062, and is a pair of convex parts which counter.
- the distance between the pair of second convex portions 1064 is also larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 1012 of the outer cylinder 1011 and smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 1013, similarly to the first convex portion 1063.
- the outer diameter of the annular protrusion 1017 is larger than the interval between the pair of second convex portions 1064. For this reason, the large diameter portion 1013 and the annular protrusion 1017 cannot pass between the pair of first convex portions 1063, whereas the small diameter portion 1012 can pass between the pair of first convex portions 1063.
- the opening 1062 is divided into three parts (that is, one end opening 1062a, a central opening 1062b, and the other end opening 1062c) by the first protrusion 1063 and the second protrusion 1064.
- the one end opening 1062a is located on one end side with respect to the first convex portion 1063 in the longitudinal direction of the opening, and the central opening 1062b is located between the first convex portion 1063 and the second convex portion 1064 in the longitudinal direction.
- the end opening 1062c is located on the other end side of the second convex portion 1064 in the longitudinal direction.
- the width in the longitudinal direction of the one end opening 1062a and the width in the longitudinal direction of the other end opening 1062c are smaller than the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 1012.
- the width of the central opening 1062b in the longitudinal direction is larger than the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 1013.
- the width in the longitudinal direction of the one end opening 1062a (that is, the distance in the longitudinal direction of the one end opening 1062a and the distance in the longitudinal direction of the first convex portion 1063) is the width in the longitudinal direction of the other end opening 1062c (that is, The edge on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the other end opening 1062c and the distance in the longitudinal direction of the second convex portion 1064) are the same size.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted as shown in FIG. 7A.
- the second convex portion 1064 out of contact with the annular protrusion 1017 (specifically, the opening 1062) with respect to the outer cylinder 1011 put into the opening 1062.
- the first convex portion 1063 abuts on a portion closer to the center than the petal-like portion 1015 in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 1011 (specifically, a portion closer to the petal-like portion 1015 than the center of the outer tube 1011). In the position.
- the 2nd convex part 1064 is provided in the position where the small diameter part 1012 passes between the 2nd convex parts 1064 used as a pair, and the 1st convex part 1063 is between the 1st convex parts 1063 used as a pair.
- the large diameter portion 1013 is provided at a position where it cannot pass.
- the first convex portion 1063 of the first convex portion 1063 and the second convex portion 1064 is not in contact with the annular protrusion 1017 (specifically, the opening 1062) with respect to the outer cylinder 1011 put into the opening 1062. In the longitudinal direction) at a position closer to the center than the annular protrusion 1017.
- the second convex portion 1064 abuts on a portion closer to the center than the petal-like portion 1015 in the longitudinal direction of the outer tube 1011 (specifically, a portion closer to the petal-like portion 1015 than the center of the outer tube 1011). In the position.
- the 1st convex part 1063 is provided in the position where the small diameter part 1012 passes between the 1st convex parts 1063 used as a pair, and the 2nd convex part 1064 is provided between the 2nd convex parts 1064 used as a pair.
- the large diameter portion 1013 is provided at a position where it cannot pass.
- the orientation aligning plate 1061 having such a configuration, the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 thrown into the opening 1062 can be accurately and quickly aligned based on a mechanism for aligning the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 described later.
- the first injection unit 1067 is provided above the orientation aligning plate 1061 and at a position facing the first convex portion 1063.
- the first injection unit 1067 has a nozzle 1067 a that injects air, and injects air toward the first convex portion 1063.
- the first injection unit 1067 injects air toward the outer cylinder 1011 (in the case of FIG. 7A, the large-diameter portion 1013) introduced into the opening 1062.
- the second injection unit 1068 is provided above the orientation aligning plate 1061 and at a position facing the second convex portion 1064.
- the second injection unit 1068 has a nozzle 1068 a that injects air, and injects air toward the second convex portion 1064.
- the second injection unit 1068 injects air toward the outer cylinder 1011 (in the case of FIG. 7A, the small diameter part 1012) introduced into the opening 1062.
- the time when the first injection unit 1067 and the second injection unit 1068 pass the opening 1062 (falling shooter 1045) of the outer cylinder 1011 can be shortened by injecting air toward the outer cylinder 1011 thrown into the opening 1062.
- the supply speed of the outer cylinder 1011 can be increased.
- the first injection unit 1067 and the second injection unit 1068 continue to inject air while the outer cylinder 1011 is being supplied.
- air may be intermittently ejected in accordance with the timing at which the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted into the opening 1062.
- FIG. 8A to 8D are diagrams for explaining a mechanism for aligning the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011.
- FIG. FIG. 8A shows a state immediately before the outer cylinder 1011 is introduced into the opening 1062, in which the outer cylinder 1011 accumulated side by side in the accumulation unit 1044 is introduced into the opening 1062 of the orientation aligning plate 1061. .
- the outer cylinder 1011 is thrown into the opening 1062 in a posture in which the large diameter portion 1013 abuts against the pair of first convex portions 1063 after being thrown. More specifically, the outer cylinder 1011 is introduced so that the outer cylinder 1011 and the opening 1062 are in a parallel state. For this reason, since the small diameter part 1012 and the large diameter part 1013 of the outer cylinder 1011 are put into the opening 1062 almost simultaneously, the subsequent orientation is easily performed appropriately.
- the large diameter part 1013 of the outer cylinder 1011 thrown in is larger than the space
- the first convex portion 1063 abuts on the central portion of the large diameter portion 1013 with respect to the petal-like portion 1015 in the longitudinal direction, so that the petal-like portion 1015 is deformed by abutting the first convex portion 1063. Thus, it is possible to prevent passage between the first convex portions 1063.
- the small diameter portion 1012 of the outer cylinder 1011 passes between the pair of second convex portions 1064 as shown in FIG. 8B because the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 1012 is smaller than the interval between the pair of second convex portions 1064.
- the 1st convex part 1063 contact abuts the part on the petal-like part 1015 side rather than the center of the outer cylinder 1011, it is easy to fall from the front end side of the small diameter part 1012 on the opposite side. As a result, the small diameter portion 1012 can easily pass between the second convex portions 1064.
- the annular protrusion 1017 of the outer cylinder 1011 starts to pass through the other end opening 1062c. That is, since the annular protrusion 1017 is in a position where it does not contact the second convex part 1064, it does not become an obstacle when the small diameter part 1012 passes through the opening 1062. Furthermore, since the second injection portion 1068 facing the second convex portion 1064 injects air to the small diameter portion 1012, the speed at which the small diameter portion 1012 passes between the pair of second convex portions 1064 is increased.
- the large-diameter portion 1013 is in contact with the first convex portion 1063 (in other words, the large-diameter portion 1013 is a pair of first convex portions 1063.
- the small-diameter portion 1012 falls between the pair of second convex portions 1064 (the small-diameter portion 1012 is centered on the portion where the large-diameter portion 1013 contacts the first convex portion 1063). ),
- the small diameter portion 1012 completely passes between the pair of second convex portions 1064 as shown in FIG. 8C. At this time, the large diameter portion 1013 begins to pass through the central opening 1062b.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is discharged from the alignment plate 1061 as shown in FIG. 8D.
- a plurality of outer cylinders 1011 stacked side by side in the accumulating portion 1044 are sequentially inserted into the opening 1062, and the orientations of the outer cylinders 1011 discharged from the opening 1062 are aligned as follows. That is, as shown in FIG. 8D, the outer cylinder 1011 is oriented such that the large diameter portion 1013 is located above and the small diameter portion 1012 is located below (in other words, the small diameter portion 1012 is first arranged). It will be in the direction of falling).
- the direction of the outer cylinder 1011 is also aligned by the same mechanism with respect to the outer cylinder 1011 that is loaded as shown in FIG. 7B. In other words, the outer cylinder 1011 is aligned so that the small diameter portion 1012 first falls.
- the orientation aligning mechanism 1060 allows the small-diameter portion 1012 of the thrown outer cylinder 1011 to pass between one of the pair of first convex portions 1063 and the pair of second convex portions 1064.
- the small diameter portion 1012 of the outer cylinder 1011 is made larger than the large diameter portion 1013. Is also discharged first.
- the orientation aligning mechanism 1060 includes the opening 1062 into which the outer cylinder 1011 is inserted, the pair of first protrusions 1063 protruding toward the inside of the opening 1062, and the pair of second protrusions as shown in FIG. A convex portion 1064 is provided.
- the distance between the pair of first protrusions 1063 and the distance between the pair of second protrusions 1064 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter part 1012 of the outer cylinder 1011 and smaller than the outer diameter of the large diameter part 1013. .
- the outer cylinder 1011 can be supplied accurately and quickly when the tampon 1001 is manufactured.
- the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 that is being conveyed on the conveyance path is determined based on the video signal obtained by photographing the outer cylinder 1011 with a camera or the like having an image sensor. Then, the turn device is used to change the direction of the outer cylinder 1011 so that the outer cylinder 1011 has a predetermined direction, so that the direction of the outer cylinder 1011 is aligned.
- the configuration becomes complicated, and the time required until the outer cylinders 1011 are aligned tends to be long.
- the outer cylinder 1011 is sent to a device that fits with the large diameter portion 1013 but does not fit with the small diameter portion 1012. Then, by discharging only the outer cylinder 1011 sent in a direction in which it does not fit, the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 is made uniform. However, in the case of the comparative example 2, since the large diameter part 1013 has the petal-like part 1015, it is difficult to appropriately fit the large diameter part 1013. As a result, the outer cylinder 1011 may be accidentally discharged. Further, since the outer cylinder 1011 is discharged, the supply efficiency of the outer cylinder 1011 is reduced.
- the relationship described above is provided for the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 1012, the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 1013, the interval between the first convex portions 1063, and the interval between the second convex portions 1064. Therefore, the small-diameter portion 1012 can easily pass between any one of the first convex portion 1063 and the second convex portion 1064 first. Specifically, the orientation aligning mechanism 1060 passes the small-diameter portion 1012 of the inserted outer cylinder 1011 between the pair of second convex portions 1064 as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, for example.
- the small diameter portion 1012 of the outer cylinder 1011 is discharged before the large diameter portion 1013.
- the outer cylinder 1011 falling on the falling shooter 1045 simply passes through the orientation aligning plate 1061, and the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 is automatically aligned.
- the outer cylinder 1011 can be supplied more quickly than in the first comparative example.
- the configuration can be simplified as compared with Comparative Example 1.
- the orientations of all the outer cylinders 1011 falling on the drop shooter 1045 are aligned, the supply efficiency can be improved as compared with the comparative example 2.
- the outer cylinder 1011 can be supplied to the conveyor 1050 accurately and quickly when the tampon 1001 is manufactured.
- FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of a tampon 1001 according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 9B is a front view of the outer cylinder 1011.
- the tampon 1001 according to the second embodiment has a smaller outer diameter than the tampon 1001 (FIG. 1A) according to the first embodiment, and is designed to be easily inserted into the vaginal cavity.
- the tampon 1001 includes a tampon main body 1004 and an applicator 1010.
- the tampon main body 1004 has the same configuration as that of the tampon main body 1004 shown in FIG. 1A and includes an absorber 1005 and a cord 1008.
- Applicator 1010 has an outer cylinder 1011 and an inner cylinder 1020.
- the outer cylinder 1011 includes a small diameter portion 1012 and a large diameter portion 1013 as shown in FIG. 9B.
- the large diameter part 1013 has the front-end
- the small-diameter portion 1012 is not formed with the annular protrusion 1017 (FIG. 1A).
- the inner cylinder 1020 has only one inner cylinder.
- the tampon 1001 configured as described above is also manufactured according to the manufacturing flow shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. However, since there is only one inner cylinder 1020, manufacturing is simplified compared to the first embodiment. Further, when the outer cylinder 1011 is supplied in the assembling apparatus 1040, the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011 is aligned by the alignment mechanism 1060.
- the orientation alignment mechanism 1060 according to the second embodiment is different in configuration from the first embodiment (FIG. 5). Therefore, the configuration of the orientation alignment mechanism 1060 will be described below.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the drop shooter 1045 and its peripheral part according to the second embodiment.
- FIG. 11A is a partial cross-sectional view of drop shooter 1045 when viewed in the Y direction shown in FIG.
- FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX of FIG.
- the drop shooter 1045 is not provided with the orientation aligning plate 1061 shown in FIG. Instead, the first protrusion 1063 and the second protrusion 1064 are formed by pins protruding from the frame 1045a of the drop shooter 1045.
- the first convex portion 1063 and the second convex portion 1064 are provided at the same height in the vertical direction.
- the opening 1062 corresponding to the plane passing through the first protrusion 1063 and the second protrusion 1064 corresponds to the opening 1062 described above.
- the opening 1062 is divided into the one end opening 1062a, the center opening 1062b, and the other end opening 1062c like the opening 1062 shown in FIG. 6 (refer FIG. 11B).
- a bent portion 1084 is formed above the first convex portion 1063 and the second convex portion 1064 in the path of the drop shooter 1045.
- the outer cylinder 1011 that has entered the drop shooter 1045 passes through the bent portion 1084 and thus has a posture along the horizontal direction. For this reason, the small diameter portion 1012 and the large diameter portion 1013 are introduced into the opening 1062 almost simultaneously.
- two sets of transport rollers 1081 and 1082 are provided in the transport path 1043 on the upstream side in the transport direction of the drop shooter 1045.
- the conveyance roller 1081 and the conveyance roller 1082 are a pair of rollers, and convey the outer cylinder 1011 in a sandwiched state. Note that the outer cylinder 1011 conveyed through the conveyance path 1043 moves to the conveyance rollers 1081 and 1082 in a vertically aligned state.
- the rotation speed of the conveyance roller 1082 is larger than the rotation speed of the conveyance roller 1081.
- the conveyance is performed. Since the two outer cylinders 1011 can be separated by the rollers 1081 and 1082, the outer cylinders 1011 can enter the drop shooter 1045 one by one.
- the direction of the outer cylinder 1011 dropping the drop shooter 1045 having the above-described configuration is aligned as follows.
- the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 1013 is larger than the interval between the first convex portions 1063, so that the large diameter portion 1013 is a pair of first convex portions.
- the large-diameter portion 1013 cannot contact between the pair of first convex portions 1063 in contact with the portion 1063.
- the small diameter portion 1012 starts passing between the pair of second convex portions 1064 because the outer diameter of the small diameter portion 1012 is smaller than the interval between the second convex portions 1064. Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
- the small-diameter portion 1012 passes completely through the second convex portion 1064 while the large-diameter portion 1013 is in contact with the first convex portion 1063. Then, when the large diameter portion 1013 passes through the central opening 1062b, the outer cylinder 1011 is discharged from the opening 1062 (that is, the small diameter portion 1012 is discharged first). As described above, the outer cylinder 1011 is aligned in such a direction that the large diameter portion 1013 is located above and the small diameter portion 1012 is located below.
- the outer cylinder 1011 can be supplied to the conveyor 1050 accurately and quickly by the orientation aligning mechanism 1060.
- the inner cylinder 1020 of the tampon 1001 shown in FIG. 1A has the first inner cylinder 1021 and the second inner cylinder 1025.
- the inner cylinder 1020 has only the first inner cylinder 1021. It's also good.
- the outer cylinder 1011 shown in FIG. 9B is dropped on the drop shooter 1045 shown in FIG. 10 to align the direction of the outer cylinder 1011.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the outer cylinder 1011 shown in FIG. 3A may be dropped onto the drop shooter 1045 shown in FIG. 10 to align the orientation of the outer cylinder 1011.
- Part 2 First, a tampon main body, a storage cylinder that stores the tampon main body and includes an opening formed at a tip and a plurality of petal-like portions surrounding the opening, and the tampon main body is movable in the storage cylinder.
- Such a tampon manufacturing method makes it possible to smoothly insert the pushing member and the tampon body into the storage cylinder.
- the spreading process may be a process of performing the spreading process on the storage cylinder after the storage cylinder is mounted on the mounting tool. With this method, the spreading process is effectively performed.
- the spreading process is performed by inserting the taper portion of a jig having a taper portion thickened from the front end toward the rear end at the front end portion into the storage cylinder from the opening, thereby allowing the jig to move to the plurality of petal-like portions. It is good also as a process which presses to each of these and bends each of the said outside in the said radial direction, and pushes the said opening apart. With such a method, it is possible to easily perform the spreading process.
- the jig is tilted outward at a tilt angle of 1 degree or more and 45 degrees or less in the radial direction. May be pressed against each of them. With such a method, it is possible to avoid inconveniences caused by excessively increasing the tilt angle.
- the storage cylinder In the step of mounting the storage cylinder on the mounting tool, the storage cylinder is mounted on the mounting tool such that each of the plurality of petal-shaped portions is exposed from the front end of the petal-shaped portion to the rear end of the petal-shaped portion. It may be installed. With this method, the jig can be appropriately pressed against each of the plurality of petal-like portions, and as a result, the opening can be appropriately expanded.
- the spreading process may be repeated a plurality of times for the storage cylinder.
- the step of performing the spreading process includes Before inserting the pushing member into the storage cylinder, repeatedly performing the spreading process on the storage cylinder a plurality of times; It is good also as having the process of performing the said expansion process again with respect to this storage cylinder after inserting the said extrusion member in the said storage cylinder and inserting the said tampon main body in this storage cylinder. With this method, the opening can be more reliably expanded when each of the pushing member and the tampon body is inserted into the storage cylinder.
- a storage cylinder including a tampon body, an opening formed at a tip of the tampon body, and a plurality of petal-shaped portions surrounding the opening; and the tampon body is movable in the storage cylinder
- a tampon manufacturing apparatus having an extrusion member that pushes out the opening from the opening to the storage cylinder, An expansion processing mechanism that performs an expansion process for expanding the opening by bending each of the plurality of petal-shaped portions outward in the radial direction of the storage cylinder with respect to the storage cylinder; An extruding member insertion mechanism for inserting the extruding member into the storage cylinder from the opening after the spreading processing mechanism performs the spreading process;
- a tampon manufacturing apparatus having a tampon main body insertion mechanism for inserting the tampon main body into the storage cylinder after the expansion processing mechanism performs the expansion processing can also be realized.
- Such a tampon manufacturing apparatus can smoothly insert the pushing member and the tampon main body into
- the spread processing mechanism has a jig for performing the spread processing,
- the jig includes a taper portion that is provided at a front end portion of the jig and becomes thicker from a front end toward a rear end, and a tension member that is provided at a rear end portion of the jig and protrudes outward from an outer edge of the rear end of the taper portion.
- the widening mechanism is configured to insert the tapered portion of the jig into the storage cylinder from the opening, thereby causing the plurality of petal-like portions to be located at the tip of the overhanging portion and projecting outward from the outer edge. It is good also as performing the said spreading
- the spreading processing mechanism has another jig having a different shape from the jig,
- the other jig is provided with a tapered portion at the distal end that becomes thicker from the distal end toward the rear end.
- the tip of the tapered portion provided in the jig is flat,
- the tip of the other tapered portion provided in the other jig is sharper than the tip of the tapered portion provided in the jig,
- the spread processing mechanism is arranged on the storage cylinder before performing the spread processing.
- the outer peripheral surface of the other tapered portion is pressed against each of the plurality of petal-like portions, and each of the plurality of tapered portions is bent outward in the radial direction.
- Another spreading process for spreading the opening may be performed. If it is a manufacturing apparatus of such composition, it becomes possible to perform subsequent spreading processing appropriately by performing other spreading processing.
- FIG. 12 and 13 are cross-sectional views showing the components of the tampon 2010.
- FIG. 12 shows the tampon 2010 with the inner cylinder 2050 contracted
- FIG. 13 shows the tampon 2010 with the inner cylinder 2050 extended.
- FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state in which the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052 are connected to each other, and is an enlarged view of a portion marked with a symbol X in FIG. 15A and 15B are external views of the outer cylinder 2040.
- FIG. FIG. 15C is a view of the outer cylinder 2040 shown in FIG. 15A as viewed from the distal end side.
- FIG. 16 is an external view of the first inner cylinder 2051.
- 17 is an external view of the second inner cylinder 2052.
- the side inserted into the vaginal cavity is referred to as the front end side, and the opposite side is referred to as the rear end side.
- the tampon 2010 of the present embodiment is a sanitary product having a tampon main body 2020 and an applicator 2030 as shown in FIG.
- the tampon main body 2020 includes a cotton body 2021 and a cord 2022 sewn on the cotton body 2021 as shown in FIG.
- the cotton body 2021 is an absorbent body that closes the vaginal cavity and absorbs menstrual blood and the like, and is formed by cutting a cotton band covered on both sides with a nonwoven fabric and heat-molding it into a substantially bullet shape.
- the cord 2022 extends from the rear end side of the cotton body 2021, and is held by the user when the cotton body 2021 in the vaginal cavity is pulled out of the vaginal cavity. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the cord 2022 passes through the applicator 2030 and is somewhat pulled out from the rear end of the applicator 2030.
- the applicator 2030 is an auxiliary tool for facilitating the introduction of the tampon main body 2020 (specifically, the cotton body 2021) into the vaginal cavity.
- the applicator 2030 includes an outer cylinder 2040 as an example of a storage cylinder that stores the tampon main body 2020, and an inner cylinder as an example of an extrusion member that pushes out the tampon main body 2020 stored in the outer cylinder 2040. 2050.
- the outer cylinder 2040 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded using a thermoplastic resin, and has appropriate flexibility.
- the outer cylinder 2040 includes a large-diameter portion 2041 provided at the front end portion and a small-diameter portion 2042 provided at the rear end portion and having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large-diameter portion 2041.
- the large diameter portion 2041 has an inner diameter slightly longer than the diameter of the tampon main body 2020, and is a portion that houses the tampon main body 2020 therein.
- the large diameter portion 2041 is inserted into the vaginal cavity with the tampon main body 2020 stored when the tampon 2010 is used.
- the tampon main body 2020 is accommodated in the large diameter portion 2041 so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 2041.
- the small diameter portion 2042 is a portion held by the user when the tampon 2010 is used.
- the outer cylinder 2040 may not be provided with the small diameter portion 2042.
- the outer cylinder 2040 has an opening formed at its tip (hereinafter referred to as a tip opening 2043) and a plurality (six in this embodiment) surrounding the tip opening 2043. And petal-like portion 2044.
- Each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is bent in an arc shape inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040 as shown in FIG. 15A when the tampon 2010 is shipped. Therefore, when the outer cylinder 2040 is inserted into the vaginal cavity, the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 2040 has a substantially hemispherical shape as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, and the distal end opening 2043 is as shown in FIG. 15C.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is open (that is, along the central axis direction of the outer cylinder 2040).
- the tip opening 2043 is in an open state.
- the outer cylinder 2040 includes an opening formed at the rear end (hereinafter, rear end opening 2045) and an annular rib 2046 formed slightly on the front end side from the rear end opening 2045. ing. Further, an annular step 2047 is formed between the large diameter portion 2041 and the small diameter portion 2042.
- the inner cylinder 2050 is a cylindrical body inserted into the small diameter portion 2042 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the inner cylinder 2050 is located on the rear end side of the tampon main body 2020 in the outer cylinder 2040, moves along the central axis direction of the outer cylinder 2040, and moves the tampon main body 2020 toward the front end opening 2043 from the rear. Push forward. Accordingly, the tampon main body 2020 is pushed out of the outer cylinder 2040 while pushing each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040 (in other words, while opening the distal end opening 2043). That is, the inner cylinder 2050 is movable in the outer cylinder 2040 and has a function of pushing the tampon main body 2020 out of the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043.
- the inner cylinder 2050 of the present embodiment has a structure that can be expanded and contracted in order to make the overall length of the tampon 2010 more compact. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, when the inner cylinder 2050 contracts, the length of the inner cylinder 2050 is shorter than the length of the outer cylinder 2040, and is suitable for carrying the tampon 2010. On the other hand, when the inner cylinder 2050 is expanded as shown in FIG. 13, the length of the inner cylinder 2050 is sufficient to push the tampon main body 2020 out of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the inner cylinder 2050 has a two-stage structure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the inner cylinder 2050 of this embodiment includes a first inner cylinder 2051 and a second inner cylinder 2052 slidably inserted into the first inner cylinder 2051. Have.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded with plastic.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 2042 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 is slidably inserted into the small diameter portion 2042 as shown in FIG.
- an annular flange portion 2051a is formed as shown in FIG.
- the flange portion 2051 a has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the large-diameter portion 2041 of the outer cylinder 2040, and the inner cylinder 2050 is locked to the inner wall surface of the step 2047 so that the inner cylinder 2050 is opened at the rear end 2045 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the inner cylinder 2050 pushes the tampon main body 2020 out of the outer cylinder 2040, the inner cylinder 2050 moves so that the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 2051a is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 2041. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an annular protrusion 2051 b protruding inward in the radial direction of the first inner cylinder 2051 is formed at the rear end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder 2051. .
- the second inner cylinder 2052 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded with a thermoplastic resin.
- the second inner cylinder 2052 has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder 2051. Further, the second inner cylinder 2052 is inserted into the first inner cylinder 2051 as shown in FIG. 12 when the inner cylinder 2050 is contracted, and as shown in FIG. 13 when the inner cylinder 2050 is expanded.
- the front end portion of the second inner cylinder 2052 is connected to the rear end portion of the first inner cylinder 2051. As shown in FIG.
- an arcuate flange portion 2052a and a convex portion 2052b located on the rear end side of the flange portion 2052a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the distal end portion of the second inner cylinder 2052. .
- the height of the convex portion 2052b decreases as it goes toward the rear end.
- the interval between the flange portion 2052a and the convex portion 2052b of the second inner cylinder 2052 is slightly longer than the thickness of the annular protrusion 2051b of the first inner cylinder 2051.
- the annular protrusion 2051b of the first inner cylinder 2051 comes to be positioned between the flange portion 2052a and the convex portion 2052b of the second inner cylinder 2052.
- the annular protrusion 2051b is locked to the flange portion 2052a and the convex portion 2052b, and the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052 are connected.
- a flared portion 2052c is formed at the rear end of the second inner cylinder 2052.
- the outer diameter of the flare-like portion 2052c is preferably at least larger than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder 2051 and larger than the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 2042 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon 2010.
- 19A to 19D are transition diagrams showing how the tampon 2010 is manufactured.
- the manufacturing method of the tampon 2010 includes a step of manufacturing each article constituting the tampon 2010 (S2001), and the manufactured article is supplied to an assembling apparatus 2100 described later to assemble the tampon 2010. It includes a step of manufacturing the tampon 2010 (hereinafter, main manufacturing step S2002), a step of inspecting the manufactured tampon 2010 (S2003), and a step of packaging the tampon 2010 (S2004).
- the articles constituting the tampon 2010 are supplied to the assembling apparatus 2100.
- the outer cylinder 2040 at the time when it is supplied to the assembling apparatus 2100 is in a state where each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is open (in other words, a state where the tip opening 2043 is open).
- the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 has a rear end protruding from the rear end opening 2045 of the outer cylinder 2040 and a collar 2051a locked to the inner wall surface of the step 2047 of the outer cylinder 2040 ( (See FIG. 19B).
- the second inner cylinder 2052 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043.
- the second inner cylinder 2052 inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 has a rear end portion protruding from an opening on the rear end side of the first inner cylinder 2051 and a collar portion 2052a locked to the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder 2051. (See FIG. 19C).
- the flare-like portion 2052c is not yet formed in the second inner cylinder 2052 at the time when it is supplied to the assembling apparatus 2100.
- the rear end portion of the second inner cylinder 2052 is thermoformed to form the flared portion 2052c.
- the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043.
- the tampon main body 2020 is inserted from the cord 2022 side.
- the cotton body 2021 is stored in the large-diameter portion 2041 of the outer cylinder 2040, and the cord 2022 is connected to the rear end of the applicator 2030 (specifically, the second inner cylinder 2052). From the rear end side opening).
- the assembly of the tampon 2010 is completed.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is curved so as to fall inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040, and the tip of the outer cylinder 2040 is substantially hemispherical.
- a process of heat forming into a shape (hereinafter also referred to as a tip processing process) is performed.
- the tip processing is completed, the main manufacturing step S2002 is completed.
- the assembling apparatus 2100 has a conveyor 2110 (see FIG. 20).
- the transport conveyor 2110 intermittently performs an operation (transport operation) for transporting the assembly in the transport direction. And each said process is performed sequentially between the said conveyance operations (namely, while an assembly is still).
- FIG. 20 is a diagram schematically showing an assembling apparatus 2100 for assembling the tampon 2010.
- the process of assembling the tampon 2010 is performed by the assembling apparatus 2100 illustrated in FIG.
- the assembling apparatus 2100 is an example of a manufacturing apparatus for the tampon 2010.
- the assembling apparatus 2100 includes a conveyor 2110, an outer cylinder supply mechanism 2120, an inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2130 as an example of an extrusion member insertion mechanism, a tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140, and a spread processing mechanism 2150. ing.
- each device constituting the assembling apparatus 2100 will be described.
- the transport conveyor 2110 includes an outer cylinder 2040 in the transport direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 20) and an article inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 (first inner cylinder 2051, second inner cylinder 2052, and tampon body 2020). It is a device that conveys.
- a mounting table 2160 on which the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted is placed on the transport conveyor 2110, and the mounting table 2160 is transported in the transport direction by the transport conveyor 2110. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting table 2160 and the article inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 are transported in the transport direction together with the mounting table 2160.
- the mounting base 2160 is an example of a mounting tool. As shown in FIG. 20, the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted in a state in which the central axis direction of the outer cylinder 2040 is in the vertical direction and the tip opening 2043 is directed substantially directly above. .
- the mounting base 2160 is formed with a circular hole (not shown) formed along the vertical direction. The outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting base 2160 by fitting into the circular hole from the small diameter portion 2042 side.
- FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a state where the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting table 2160.
- the outer cylinder supply mechanism 2120 is a mechanism that supplies the outer cylinder 2040 to the conveyor 2110. As shown in FIG. 20, the outer cylinder supply mechanism 2120 includes an outer cylinder conveyance feeder 2121, a supply path 2122 connected to the end of the conveyance path included in the outer cylinder conveyance feeder 2121, and an outside that has passed through the supply path 2122. An outer cylinder setting unit (not shown) for setting the cylinder 2040 on the mounting base 2160 is provided.
- the outer cylinder conveyance feeder 2121 is a parts feeder having a bowl-shaped vibrating table 2121a, and conveys the outer cylinder 2040 by vibrating the vibrating table 2121a. More specifically, the vibration table 2121a forms a spiral conveyance path.
- the outer cylinder conveyance feeder 2121 causes the vibration table 2121a to vibrate, thereby sequentially moving the outer cylinder 2040 accumulated on the bottom of the vibration table 2121a from the bottom along the conveyance path.
- the outer cylinder 2040 that has reached the end of the conveyance path is transferred to the supply path 2122 and moves on the supply path 2122.
- accumulation portions 2122a and 2122c for temporarily accumulating the outer cylinder 2040 are formed at the intermediate portion and the end portion of the supply path 2122.
- a drop shooter 2122b is formed between the accumulation portions 2122a and 2122c, and the outer cylinder 2040 accumulated in the accumulation portion 2122a provided in the intermediate portion of the supply path 2122 sequentially falls on the fall shooter 2122b.
- a regulation mechanism (not shown) that regulates the direction of the outer cylinder 2040 to be a predetermined direction is provided. The direction of the outer cylinder 2040 is regulated so that the tip part first exits the drop shooter 2122b under the action of the restriction mechanism while passing through the drop shooter 2122b.
- the outer cylinders 2040 that have exited the drop shooter 2122b are accumulated in the accumulating unit 2122c provided at the terminal portion of the supply path 2122 in a state where the directions of the outer cylinders 2040 are aligned.
- the accumulation part 2122c provided at the terminal part of the supply path 2122 is inclined downwardly.
- the outer cylinder 2040 that has reached the terminal end of the downward supply path 2122 through the accumulation section 2122c is captured by the outer cylinder setting section described above.
- the outer cylinder setting unit mounts the captured outer cylinder 2040 on a mounting table 2160 mounted on the conveyor 2110.
- the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2130 is a mechanism for inserting the inner cylinder 2050 into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2130 of the present embodiment inserts the inner cylinder 2050 from the distal end opening 2043 into the outer cylinder 2040 that is mounted on the mounting table 2160 after the expansion processing mechanism 2150 performs the expansion process described later. To do.
- the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2130 is a mechanism for inserting the first inner cylinder 2051 constituting the inner cylinder 2050 into the outer cylinder 2040 (hereinafter referred to as the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131), and the second inner cylinder 2050 constituting the inner cylinder 2050.
- a mechanism (hereinafter referred to as a second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132) for inserting the cylinder 2052 into the outer cylinder 2040 is individually provided.
- the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131 includes an inner cylinder conveyance feeder 2133, an inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 for inserting the first inner cylinder 2051 into the outer cylinder 2040, the inner cylinder conveyance feeder 2133, and the And a supply tube 2134 provided between the inner cylinder insertion portions 2135.
- the inner cylinder conveyance feeder 2133 is a parts feeder having substantially the same configuration as the outer cylinder conveyance feeder 2121, and the first inner cylinder 2051 is sequentially formed in a spiral shape formed by the vibration table 2133 a from the bottom of the bowl-shaped vibration table 2133 a. It moves along the transport route.
- the end portion of the transport path is configured by a pair of rails 2133b.
- the pair of rails 2133b is a part of the vibration table 2133a.
- a gap slightly longer than the outer diameter of the first inner cylinder 2051 is formed between the pair of rails 2133b.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 moves along the rail 2133b while being sandwiched between the pair of rails 2133b.
- the flange portion 2051a of the first inner cylinder 2051 is hooked on the upper portion of the rail 2133b, and the first inner cylinder 2051 is suspended from the rail 2133b. That is, when the first inner cylinder 2051 moves along the rail 2133b, the front end of the first inner cylinder 2051 is positioned above the rear end. Then, when the first inner cylinder 2051 passes through the end of the rail 2133b, the first inner cylinder 2051 falls while the tip is positioned above the rear end, and is supplied to the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 through the supply tube 2134.
- the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 receives the first inner cylinder 2051 dropped from the supply tube 2134, and when the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned below the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135, the received first inner cylinder 2051 is moved downward. Press to insert into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 includes a pressing member 2135a that is movable in the vertical direction. Then, the first inner cylinder 2051 is pressed downward by moving the pressing member 2135a downward while being disposed on the first inner cylinder 2051.
- the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 inserts the first inner cylinder 2051 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the front end opening 2043 with the front end of the first inner cylinder 2051 positioned above the rear end.
- the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132 has substantially the same configuration as the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131, the description thereof is omitted.
- the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 provided for the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132 to insert the second inner cylinder 2052 into the outer cylinder 2040 has the first inner cylinder in the conveying direction of the conveyor 2110 as shown in FIG.
- the inner cylinder insertion portion 2135 provided in the insertion mechanism 2131 is disposed on the downstream side. That is, after the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131 inserts the first inner cylinder 2051 into the outer cylinder 2040, the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132 inserts the second inner cylinder 2052 into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 is a mechanism for inserting the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040 in which the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052 are inserted (in other words, the applicator 2030 that has been assembled).
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 of the present embodiment inserts the tampon main body 2020 from the distal end opening 2043 into the outer cylinder 2040 that is mounted on the mounting base 2160 after the expansion processing mechanism 2150 performs the expansion processing described later. To do.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 includes a guide tube 2141, a suction device 2142, and a pressing member 2143 as shown in FIG. 20.
- the guide tube 2141 is a cylinder that covers the tip of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the guide tube 2141 is movable in the vertical direction with the central axis direction along the vertical direction. Further, the guide tube 2141 holds the tampon main body 2020 in its inner space.
- the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the guide tube 2141 by an unillustrated insertion mechanism, and is held in the guide tube 2141 with the cord 2022 positioned below the cotton body 2021, as shown in FIG. .
- the suction device 2142 has a rear end side of the outer cylinder 2040 (specifically, a rear end of the second inner cylinder 2052 inserted into the outer cylinder 2040) when the guide tube 2141 covers the tip of the outer cylinder 2040. Intake from the side opening).
- the pressing member 2143 is located immediately above the upper end opening of the guide tube 2141 and is supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction.
- the pressing member 2143 is inserted into the guide tube 2141 from the upper end opening of the guide tube 2141 when the lower end portion of the guide tube 2141 covers the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 2040. Thereby, the pressing member 2143 presses the tampon main body 2020 held by the guide tube 2141 downward, and inserts the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal end opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 configured as described above moves the guide tube 2141 downward when the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned at a position where the distal end opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040 faces the lower end opening of the guide tube 2141. . As a result, the lower end portion of the guide tube 2141 covers the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 2040. Then, the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 presses the tampon main body 2020 held in the guide tube 2141 downward by the pressing member 2143. As a result, the tampon main body 2020 is pushed out from the guide tube 2141 and inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 operates the suction device 2142 when pushing out the tampon main body 2020 from the guide tube 2141. Accordingly, when the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040, the cord 2022 of the tampon main body 2020 is pulled downward. As a result, the cord 2022 passes through the outer cylinder 2040 and is pulled out from the opening on the rear end side of the second inner cylinder 2052 inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 (in other words, the rear end of the assembled applicator 2030). It becomes like this.
- the spreading processing mechanism 2150 is a mechanism that performs spreading processing on the outer cylinder 2040 as pre-processing for inserting the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the expanding process is a process of expanding the tip opening 2043 by bending each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 surrounding the tip opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040 outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the spread processing mechanism 2150 includes a first pusher unit 2151, a second pusher unit 2152, and a third pusher unit 2153 as shown in FIG.
- the first pusher unit 2151 performs a spreading process on the outer cylinder 2040 before the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the first pusher unit 2151 is located upstream of the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131 in the transport direction of the transport conveyor 2110.
- the first pusher unit 2151 includes a plurality of (four in this embodiment) pushers 2200 and 2210, a mounting plate 2220 to which the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 are attached, A drive mechanism (not shown) for reciprocating the plate 2220 in the vertical direction.
- FIG. 22A is a schematic diagram showing the first pusher unit 2151.
- the pushers 2200 and 2210 are an example of a jig for the first pusher unit 2151 to spread the outer cylinder 2040, and are made of metal in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 22A, the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 are arranged along the transport direction.
- the first pusher unit 2151 attaches the plurality of pushers 2200, 2210 to the mounting plate by the drive mechanism when the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned directly below one of the pushers 2200, 2210 among the plurality of pushers 2200, 2210. It is moved downward integrally with 2220.
- the distal ends of the pushers 2200 and 2210 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal end openings 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040 so that the pushers 2200 and 2210 are pressed against the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is bent outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040 by the pushers 2200 and 2210, and thus the tip opening 2043 is expanded.
- the spreading process according to the present embodiment is performed by pushing the pushers 2200 and 2210 into each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 by inserting the distal ends of the pushers 2200 and 2210 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal opening 2043.
- This is a process of mechanically expanding the tip opening 2043 by bending each of them outward in the radial direction with a pressing force applied to each of them.
- FIGS. 23 and 24 are external views of the pushers 2200 and 2210.
- FIG. 23 and 24 are external views of the pushers 2200 and 2210.
- the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 have substantially the same shape. More specifically, each of the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 has a substantially funnel shape as shown in FIGS. More specifically, each of the pushers 2200 and 2210 is provided at the front end portion, and the tapered portions 2201 and 2111, which are thickened from the front end toward the rear end, and the taper portions 2201 and 2211 provided at the rear end portion. And projecting portions 2202 and 2212 that project outward from the outer edge of the rear end.
- the tapered parts 2201, 2112 are substantially truncated cone parts. As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the tips of the tapered portions 2201, 2112 are circular flat surfaces. The diameters of the tips of the tapered portions 2201, 2112 are shorter than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 2040 (more specifically, the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 2041). In this embodiment, the diameter of the tip of the tapered portion 2201 provided in the most upstream pusher 2200 is approximately 5 mm, and the diameter of the tip of the tapered portion 2211 provided in the remaining pusher 2210 is approximately 7 mm. In addition, the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 2040 according to the present embodiment is about 13.5 mm (see FIG. 25A).
- the diameters of the rear ends of the tapered parts 2201, 2112 are larger than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 2040 (more specifically, the outer diameter of the large diameter part 2041).
- the diameter of the rear end of the tapered portion 2201 provided in the most upstream pusher 2200 is about 18 mm
- the diameter of the rear end of the tapered portion 2211 provided in the remaining pusher 2210 is about 20 mm.
- the length from the front end to the rear end (about 13 mm in this embodiment) is from the front end to the rear end of the petal-like portion 2044 in the open state. It is longer than this length (in this embodiment, about 8.5 mm). In this embodiment, the length from the front end to the rear end of the tapered portion 2211 provided in the remaining pusher 2210 is about 8 mm.
- the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 are curved surfaces that are curved so as to be recessed inward as shown in FIGS.
- the line of intersection between the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2111, and the virtual plane passing through the central axis of the tapered portions 2201 and 2111, is a curved curve recessed inward (see FIG. 22A).
- the radius of curvature R of the outer peripheral surface 2201a of the tapered portion 2201 provided in the most upstream pusher 2200 is about 10 mm
- the radius of curvature R of the outer peripheral surface 2211a of the tapered portion 2211 provided in the remaining pusher 2210 is about 6. .5 mm.
- the overhang portions 2202 and 2212 are disk-shaped portions.
- the overhanging portions 2202 and 2212 have overhanging surfaces 2202a and 2212a that are located at the leading ends of the overhanging portions 2202 and 2212 and project outward from the outer edges of the rear ends of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211. Further, the diameter of the overhang portions 2202 and 2212 is longer than the outer diameter of the outer cylinder 2040. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the overhanging portion 2202 included in the most upstream pusher 2200 is about 30 mm, and the diameter of the overhanging portion 2212 included in the remaining pusher 2210 is about 36 mm. Other dimension values are as shown in FIGS. 23 and 24.
- a portion of the outer surface of each pusher 2200, 2210 that is pressed against the inner wall surface of the petal-like portion 2044 is subjected to surface finishing so as not to damage the inner wall surface.
- the surface finishing process is performed so as to be within 25).
- the first pusher unit 2151 can perform the spreading process by a simple method.
- the spreading process by the first pusher unit 2151 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25A to 25D.
- 25A to 25D are explanatory diagrams of the spreading process.
- 25A to 25D exemplify a case where the spreading process is performed using the pusher 2200 on the most upstream side among the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210.
- the first pusher unit 2151 moves the pushers 2200 and 2210 downward as shown in FIG. 25A.
- the outer cylinder 2040 is in a state in which the tip opening 2043 faces substantially upward.
- the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 included in the pushers 2200 and 2210 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043.
- the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 come into contact with the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is bent so as to fall outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040 along the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211.
- the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 are curved surfaces. For this reason, when the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 come into contact with the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044, each of the outer peripheral surfaces 2201a and 2211a of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 It bends smoothly along.
- the overhanging surfaces 2202a and 2212a of the overhanging portions 2202 and 2212 included in the pushers 2200 and 2210 are formed on the plurality of petal-like portions 2044. It comes to be pressed against each inner wall surface. As a result, each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 bends until it falls outward at a substantially right angle in the radial direction. At this time, as shown in FIG.
- the first pusher unit 2151 has the projecting surfaces 2202a, 2212a about 5 mm below the front end position of the outer cylinder 2040 before the spreading process (the front end position of the petal-like portion 2044).
- the protruding surfaces 2202a and 2212a are pushed down so as to be positioned.
- the first pusher unit 2151 moves the pushers 2200 and 2210 upward and pulls out the pushers 2200 and 2210 from the outer cylinder 2040 (in other words, the pushers 2200 and 2210 are formed into a plurality of petals. Spaced from each of the portions 2044).
- the tip opening 2043 becomes wider than before the spreading process. That is, in this embodiment, by inserting the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 of the pushers 2200 and 2210 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043, the protruding surfaces 2202a and 2212a of the protruding portions 2202 and 2212 of the pushers 2200 and 2210 are formed. A widening process is performed in which each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is pressed and bent outwardly in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040 to expand the tip opening 2043.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 falls to the outside in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tilt angle of the petal-like portion 2044 may be 1 degree or more.
- the petal-like portion 2044 is tilted 45 degrees or more outward in the radial direction, inconvenience occurs during the tip processing for processing the tip of the outer cylinder 2040 into a substantially hemispherical shape. Furthermore, if the petal-like portion 2044 is bent excessively, the outer cylinder 2040 may be damaged. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the creases are attached so that each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 falls down at an angle of 1 ° to 45 ° outward in the radial direction.
- each of them falls down at an angle of 1 to 45 degrees outward in the radial direction. In this manner, the pushers 2200 and 2210 are pressed against the respective parts.
- the first pusher unit 2151 performs the spreading process on the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting base 2160. Further, as described above, the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting base 2160 is in a state where each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is exposed from the tip of the petal-like portion 2044 to the rear end of the petal-like portion 2044. . This makes it easy to push the pushers 2200 and 2210 against the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 and bend each of them outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the pushers 2200, 2210 are pressed against the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044, so that the pressing force applied to each of the petals-like portions 2044 It becomes almost uniform.
- the first pusher unit 2151 includes a plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210, and performs an expansion process on the outer cylinder 2040 each time the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned directly below each pusher 2200 and 2210. That is, in this embodiment, before the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040, the spreading process is performed on the outer cylinder 2040 a plurality of times (four times in this embodiment). Thereby, it is possible to insert each article including the first inner cylinder 2051 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043 in a state where the tip opening 2043 is reliably expanded.
- the first pusher unit 2151 of the present embodiment includes, in addition to the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210, another pusher having a shape different from that of the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 (hereinafter referred to as a preliminary pusher 2230). Then, the first pusher unit 2151 performs the preliminary process using the preliminary pusher 2230 on the outer cylinder 2040 before performing the spreading process using each of the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210.
- Preliminary processing refers to inserting the preliminary pusher 2230 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal end opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040, thereby pressing the preliminary pusher 2230 against the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044. This is a process of bending the outer opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040 by bending outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040. This preliminary process corresponds to another spreading process.
- the preliminary pusher 2230 will be described.
- the preliminary pusher 2230 is an example of another jig, and is made of a resin material such as plastic.
- the preliminary pusher 2230 is attached to the mounting plate 2220 in the same manner as the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210. As shown in FIG. 22A, the preliminary pusher 2230 is located upstream of the most upstream pusher 2200 in the transport direction.
- the preliminary pusher 2230 includes another tapered portion 2231 that increases in thickness from the front end toward the rear end at the front end portion of the preliminary pusher 2230.
- FIG. 26 is an external view of the preliminary pusher 2230.
- the other taper portion 2231 has a substantially conical shape and has a tip sharper than the tips of the taper portions 2201 and 2211 included in the pushers 2200 and 2210.
- tip of the other taper part 2231 to a rear end is about 12 mm, and the diameter of the rear end of this other taper part 2231 is about 16 mm. .
- the first pusher unit 2151 having the preliminary pusher 2230 having the above shape moves the preliminary pusher 2230 downward when the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned immediately below the preliminary pusher 2230.
- another tapered portion 2231 included in the preliminary pusher 2230 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal end opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the outer peripheral surface 2231a of the other tapered portion 2231 is pressed against the inner wall surface of each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044. Accordingly, each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is bent outward along the outer peripheral surface 2231a of the other tapered portion 2231 in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040, and the tip opening 2043 is pushed and spread.
- the preliminary treatment is performed by inserting the other tapered portion 2231 included in the preliminary pusher 2230 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043, so that the outer peripheral surface 2231 a of the other tapered portion 2231 is formed into a plurality of petal-like portions 2044. Is pressed against each of the two, and each of the two is bent outward in the radial direction to spread the tip opening 2043. Then, the first pusher unit 2151 performs the preliminary process on the outer cylinder 2040 before performing the spreading process.
- the reason why the preliminary process is performed before the spreading process will be described.
- the tips of the tapered portions 2201, 2211 included in the pushers 2200, 2210 of the present embodiment are flat surfaces as described above.
- the outer cylinder 2040 there may be a case in which the petal-like portion 2044 is somewhat tilted inward before the spreading process is performed.
- the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 of the pushers 2200 and 2210 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 with the petal-like portion 2044 tilted inward, the tips of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 are caught by the petal-like portion 2044. There is a fear.
- the petal-like portion 2044 is wound inside and it becomes difficult to insert the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040. That is, if the spreading process of the present embodiment is performed on the outer cylinder 2040 in a state where the petal-like portion 2044 is tilted inward, it becomes difficult to insert each article into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tips of the other tapered portions 2231 included in the preliminary pusher 2230 are sharper than the tips of the tapered portions 2201, 2211 included in the pushers 2200 and 2210. For this reason, even if the auxiliary pusher 2230 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 with the petal-like portion 2044 tilted inward, the tip of the auxiliary pusher 2230 is caught by the petal-like portion 2044 so that the petal-like portion 2044 is placed inside. You won't get caught in
- the petal-like portion 2044 is bent outward and opened in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040. That is, if preliminary processing is performed in advance of performing the spreading process, the petal-like portion 2044 is moved to such an extent that the tips of the tapered portions 2201 and 2211 included in the pushers 2200 and 2210 are not caught by the petal-like portion 2044 during the spreading process. It becomes possible to keep it open. As a result, the first pusher unit 2151 can appropriately perform subsequent spreading processing on the outer cylinder 2040.
- the second pusher unit 2152 performs an expansion process on the outer cylinder 2040 after the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 until the second inner cylinder 2052 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040. It is.
- the second pusher unit 2152 is located between the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131 and the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132 in the transport direction.
- the third pusher unit 2153 performs an expansion process on the outer cylinder 2040 after the second inner cylinder 2052 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 until the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040. .
- the third pusher unit 2153 is located between the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132 and the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 in the transport direction.
- FIG. 22B is a schematic diagram showing the second pusher unit 2152.
- the third pusher unit 2153 has the same configuration as the second pusher unit 2152 and is not shown.
- Each unit of the second pusher unit 2152 and the third pusher unit 2153 includes one pusher 2210 as an example of a jig for performing the spreading process, as shown in FIG. 22B.
- the pusher 2210 is the same as the pusher 2210 downstream of the most upstream pusher 2200 among the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 provided in the first pusher unit 2151. That is, it is possible to perform the spreading process on the second pusher unit 2152 and the third pusher unit 2153 by a simple method.
- the second pusher unit 2152 and the third pusher unit 2153 perform the spreading process in substantially the same procedure as the spreading process by the first pusher unit 2151.
- the second pusher unit 2152 is expanded once with respect to the outer cylinder 2040 after the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 until the second inner cylinder 2052 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the third pusher unit 2153 performs an expansion process on the outer cylinder 2040 once after the second inner cylinder 2052 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 until the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040. .
- the second pusher unit 2152 and the third pusher unit 2153 do not perform the preliminary processing before performing the spreading processing (in other words, the preliminary pusher 2230 is not provided). This is because, at the stage where each of the second pusher unit 2152 and the third pusher unit 2153 performs the spreading process, each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 falls at least outward in the radial direction, and it is necessary to perform a preliminary process again. Because there is no.
- the spread processing mechanism 2150 is configured so that the outer cylinder 2051, the second inner cylinder 2052, and the tampon main body 2020 are each inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 before the outer cylinder 2040.
- An expansion process is performed on the cylinder 2040.
- the present invention is not limited to this, and at least from when the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting base 2160 until the inner cylinder 2050 (the first inner cylinder 2051 in this embodiment) is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040. What is necessary is just to spread between them.
- the spread processing mechanism 2150 is disposed on the outer cylinder 2040 in a state where the temperature of the pushers 2200 and 2210 is maintained at a temperature lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin constituting the outer cylinder 2040 by 50 degrees or less.
- the spread process is performed. That is, instead of heating and softening the outer cylinder 2040 and expanding the tip opening 2043 as in thermoforming, the tip opening 2043 is expanded only by the pressing force applied by the pushers 2200 and 2210. For this reason, in this embodiment, each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is not thermally deformed as in the case of thermoforming.
- the temperature of the pushers 2200 and 2210 may be in the range of the glass transition point of the thermoplastic resin to a temperature that is 50 degrees lower than the melting point of the thermoplastic resin, and preferably room temperature.
- FIG. 27 is a view showing an assembly flow of the tampon 2010.
- the assembly of the tampon 2010 starts from a step (S2011) of mounting the outer cylinder 2040 on the mounting table 2160 mounted on the conveyor 2110 by the outer cylinder supply mechanism 2120.
- the transport conveyor 2110 intermittently performs a transport operation for transporting the mounting table 2160 by a predetermined distance.
- the outer cylinder supply mechanism 2120 is synchronized with the transfer conveyor 2110 and mounts the outer cylinder 2040 on the mounting table 2160 during the transfer operation (while the mounting table 2160 is stationary).
- the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting base 2160 so that each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is exposed from the front end of the petal-like portion 2044 to the rear end of the petal-like portion 2044. To be installed.
- the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting base 2160 is transported together with the mounting base 2160 to the downstream side in the transport direction by intermittently repeating the transporting operation.
- the spreader mechanism 2150 (specifically, the first pusher unit 2151) applies the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting table 2160 to the outer cylinder 2040.
- Pre-processing is performed (S2012).
- the spreading processing mechanism 2150 is synchronized with the transport conveyor 2110, and performs a preliminary process on the outer cylinder 2040 while the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary at a position located directly below the preliminary pusher 2230.
- the outer cylinder 2040 comes to be positioned directly below the pusher 2200 on the most upstream side among the plurality of pushers 2200 and 2210 provided in the first pusher unit 2151. While the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary at this position, the spreader mechanism 2150 (specifically, the first pusher unit 2151) is used to move the outer cylinder 2040 (the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting table 2160). A spreading process is performed (S2013).
- the overhanging surface 2202a of the overhanging portion 2202 provided in the most upstream pusher 2200 is pressed against the inner wall surfaces of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 is bent outward at a substantially right angle in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040.
- the pusher 2200 on the most upstream side is extracted from the outer cylinder 2040 (separated from each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044)
- the first spreading process is completed.
- the outer cylinder 2040 is creased, and each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 falls to the outside in the radial direction at a tilt angle of 1 degree to 45 degrees. .
- the outer cylinder 2040 After carrying out the first spreading process, when the carrying operation is executed once, the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned immediately below the pusher 2210 adjacent to the most upstream pusher 2200 (that is, the second pusher 2210). Become. While the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary at this position, the second expansion process is performed on the outer cylinder 2040. Thereafter, the conveying operation and the spreading process are alternately repeated, and the spreading process is performed four times in total. Then, as the number of times the spreading process is performed increases, the falling angle of the petal-like portion 2044 immediately after the spreading process gradually increases. Even after the fourth spreading process, the falling angle of the petal-like portion 2044 is in the range of 1 to 45 degrees.
- the conveying operation is repeated, and the outer cylinder 2040 on which the spreading process has been performed is transported together with the mounting table 2160 to the downstream side in the transport direction.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal end opening 2043 by the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131 (S2014). That is, in this embodiment, the outer cylinder 2040 that has been subjected to the spreading process is transported together with the mounting table 2160 to the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport conveyor 2110, and then the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2130 is synchronized with the transport conveyor 2110, and the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131 has the outer cylinder 2040 while the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary below the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2131.
- the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted into.
- the conveying operation is repeated. Then, while the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned directly below the pusher 2210 included in the second pusher unit 2152 and the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary at that position, the expansion process is performed again on the outer cylinder 2040 (S2015). ). Even immediately after the spreading process, the fall angle of the petal-like portion 2044 is in the range of 1 degree to 45 degrees.
- the carrying operation is repeated, and while the outer cylinder 2040 is positioned at a position below the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132 and is stationary at the position, the second inner cylinder 2052 is advanced by the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 2132. It inserts into the outer cylinder 2040 through the opening 2043 (S2016). That is, after the outer cylinder 2040 that has been subjected to the expansion process again after the first inner cylinder 2051 is inserted is transported together with the mounting table 2160 to the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport conveyor 2110, the second inner cylinder 2052 is moved to the Insert into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the conveying operation is repeated.
- the outer cylinder 2040 (the outer cylinder 2040 into which the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052 are inserted) reaches the position where the thermoforming unit (not shown) is installed in the transport direction, the second inner cylinder 2040 is reached. Thermoforming is performed to form a flared portion 2052c at the rear end of the tube 2052 (S2017).
- the thermoforming is completed, the assembly of the applicator 2030 is completed.
- the outer cylinder 2040 (in other words, the assembled applicator 2030) is positioned immediately below the pusher 2210 included in the third pusher unit 2153. While the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary at the position, the outer cylinder The spreading process is performed once again on 2040 (S2018). Even immediately after the spreading process, the fall angle of the petal-like portion 2044 is in the range of 1 degree to 45 degrees.
- the conveying operation is repeated, and when the outer cylinder 2040 (in other words, the assembled applicator 2030) is positioned below the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140, the tampon main body 2020 is opened by the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140.
- the outer cylinder 2040 that has been subjected to the expansion process again after the inner cylinder 2050 (the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052) has been inserted is transported together with the mounting table 2160 to the downstream side in the transport direction by the transport conveyor 2110. After that, the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 2140 is also synchronized with the transport conveyor 2110 and is held in the guide tube 2141 while the outer cylinder 2040 is stationary with the front end opening 2043 facing the lower end opening of the guide tube 2141.
- the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043.
- the assembly of the tampon 2010 is completed by the above series of steps.
- the assembled tampon 2010 is transported together with the mounting table 2160 toward the step of processing the tip of the outer cylinder 2040 into a substantially hemispherical shape while being mounted on the mounting table 2160.
- the step of performing the expanding process includes the step of repeating the expanding process on the outer cylinder 2040 a plurality of times before inserting the first inner cylinder 2051 into the outer cylinder 2040 (S2013), and the first inner cylinder 2051.
- a process of re-expanding the outer cylinder 2040 between the insertion of the outer cylinder 2040 and the insertion of the second inner cylinder 2052 into the outer cylinder 2040 (S2015), and the second inner cylinder 2052 There is a step (S2018) of performing an expansion process on the outer cylinder 2040 again after it is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 and before the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 surrounding the tip opening 2043 of the outer cylinder 2040 is bent outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040 with respect to the outer cylinder 2040. To widen the tip opening 2043. Then, after performing the spreading process, the inner cylinder 2050 (specifically, the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052) and the tampon main body 2020 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043. Thereby, the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 can be smoothly inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the effectiveness of the manufacturing method of the tampon 2010 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.
- each of the outer cylinder 2040, the inner cylinder 2050, and the tampon main body 2020 has the above-described shape. Therefore, the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are connected to the outer cylinder from the tip opening 2043. 2040 will be inserted. That is, the tip opening 2043 serves as an insertion port when the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the tip opening 2043 serves as an insertion port when the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the petal-like portion 2044 falls inward in the radial direction due to a collision between the outer cylinders 2040 or the like. There is.
- the tip opening 2043 becomes small, so that it becomes difficult to insert the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040 from the tip opening 2043.
- the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are forcibly inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 in such a state, the petal-like portion 2044 is caught inside the outer cylinder 2040, and a defective tampon 2010 is manufactured. .
- the difference between the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 2050 and the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 2040 (specifically, the outer diameter and the large diameter part 2041 of the flange portion 2051a of the first inner cylinder 2051).
- the difference between the diameter of the tampon main body 2020 and the inner diameter of the outer cylinder 2040 are slight, the tip opening 2043 becomes small and the inner cylinder 2050 extends from the tip opening 2043. And it becomes more difficult to insert the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the above-described spreading process is performed on the outer cylinder 2040. Accordingly, the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 can be inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the distal opening 2043 with the distal opening 2043 being expanded. As a result, the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 can be smoothly inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 without changing the outer diameter of the inner cylinder 2050 and the diameter of the tampon main body 2020.
- each of the plurality of petal-like parts 2044 is bent outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2040, it is possible to prevent the above-described problem, that is, the petal-like part 2044 from being caught inside the outer cylinder 2040. become. As a result, the tampon 2010 can be assembled properly.
- the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040, the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are smoothly formed into the outer cylinder 2040 by performing the spreading process on the outer cylinder 2040. Insertion and tampon 2010 can be assembled properly. Therefore, if it is the manufacturing method of the tampon 2010 of this embodiment, it will become possible to improve the production speed of the tampon 2010.
- the process of performing the spreading process is a process of performing the spreading process on the outer cylinder 2040 after the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting tool 2160. This is from the time when the outer cylinder 2040 is injection molded to the time when it is mounted on the mounting table 2160 (specifically, after being placed on the vibration table 2121a of the outer cylinder conveying feeder 2121, it is supplied to the conveying conveyor 2110. This is because there is a high possibility that the petal-like portion 2044 falls inward.
- the expansion process is effectively performed.
- the inner cylinder 2050 (the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052) is transferred to the outer cylinder. Insert into 2040.
- the outer cylinder 2040 with the inner cylinder 2050 inserted is conveyed together with the mounting table 2160 to the downstream side in the conveying direction by the conveyor 2110, and then the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040. This facilitates maintaining the tip opening 2043 in an expanded state until the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- a case where the outer cylinder 2040 is continuously mounted on the same mounting base 2160 from when the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting base 2160 to when the assembly of the tampon 2010 is completed will be described as an example.
- the mounting base on which the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted. 2160 is switched. That is, the case where the outer cylinder 2040 mounted on the mounting base 2160 is remounted on another mounting base 2160 can be considered.
- the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting base 2160 on which the outer cylinder 2040 is first mounted (that is, the mounting base 2160 that receives the outer cylinder 2040 from the outer cylinder supply mechanism 2120), the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted. If the spreading process is performed on the image, the spreading process can be effectively performed.
- the first inner cylinder 2051, the second inner cylinder 2052, and the tampon main body 2020 are each expanded before the process of inserting the outer cylinder 2040 into the outer cylinder 2040 each time. (S2013, S2015, S2018 in FIG. 27). Thereby, when each of the first inner cylinder 2051, the second inner cylinder 2052, and the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 2040, the tip opening 2043 can be expanded more reliably.
- the tampon 2010 having the two-stage inner cylinder 2050 (that is, the expandable / contractible inner cylinder 2050) as the extrusion member has been described.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- a tampon 2010 having an inner cylinder 2050 with a fixed length (not stretchable) may be used.
- the outer cylinder 2040 is mounted on the mounting base 2160 with the tip opening 2043 facing substantially upward. That is, the above-described embodiment is configured to insert the inner cylinder 2050 (the first inner cylinder 2051 and the second inner cylinder 2052) and the tampon main body 2020 into the outer cylinder 2040 from above.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- the outer cylinder 2040 is placed on the conveyor 2110 with the tip opening 2043 facing substantially sideways, and the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are laterally arranged from the outer cylinder.
- the structure inserted in 2040 may be sufficient.
- the pushers 2200 and 2210 are inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 from the side, and the pushers 2200 and 2210 are respectively inserted into the plurality of petal-like portions 2044 from the side. You can press it.
- the inner cylinder 2050 and the tampon main body 2020 are separately inserted into the outer cylinder 2040.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- a configuration in which the tampon main body 2020 is stored in the outer cylinder 2040 in a state where the tampon main body 2020 is inserted into the inner cylinder 2050 can be considered.
- the inner cylinder 2050 into which the tampon main body 2020 is inserted may be inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 (ie, the tampon The main body 2020 and the inner cylinder 2050 may be inserted into the outer cylinder 2040 at the same time).
- FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a plurality of outer cylinders 2040 are simultaneously expanded, and corresponds to FIG. 22A.
- Part 3 First, a tampon main body, a storage cylinder that stores the tampon main body, and an extrusion member that moves inside the storage cylinder and pushes the tampon main body out of the storage cylinder are provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder.
- An apparatus for producing a tampon having a plurality of petal-like parts A supply mechanism for supplying the storage cylinder; An insertion mechanism for inserting the tampon body and the pushing member into the storage cylinder supplied by the supply mechanism;
- the supply mechanism is A first transport path for transporting the storage tube in a first transport direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage tube; A second transport path for transporting the storage cylinder in a second transport direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder;
- the second transport path is A receiving section for receiving the storage cylinder that has moved on the first transport path from the first transport path; A side wall formed at the end opposite to the side where the storage cylinder is passed from the first transport path to the receiving unit in the first transport direction; An outlet for forming the storage cylinder out of the second conveying path, formed on the side wall;
- the side wall holds the storage tube received by the receiving unit when the receiving unit does not have the storage tube, and the receiving unit receives the storage tube when the receiving unit has the storage tube.
- a tampon manufacturing apparatus wherein the storage cylinder is taken out of the second conveyance path from the discharge port.
- the receiving cylinder received by the receiving section is taken out of the second transport path from the discharge port, whereby the receiving section is stored in front of the receiving section. Stacking of cylinders is prevented. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage cylinders from being connected to each other and to supply the storage cylinders appropriately.
- the supply mechanism is A parts feeder that includes a mounting table and moves the storage cylinder mounted on the mounting table toward the first transport path; It is good also as providing the 3rd conveyance path which conveys the said storage cylinder taken out of the said 2nd conveyance path from the said discharge port to the mounting table mentioned above.
- Each of the first conveyance path and the third conveyance path is inclined so that the storage cylinder slides down on each of the storage cylinders
- the receiving part is a depression sandwiched between the first transport path and the third transport path
- the recess receives the storage cylinder that has slid down the first transport path when the recess has no storage cylinder, and the storage that has slid down the first transport path when the recess has the storage cylinder.
- Receiving the cylinder over the storage cylinder in the recess The said side wall is good also as letting out the said storage cylinder overlaid on the said storage cylinder in the said hollow out of the said 2nd conveyance path from the said discharge port.
- the outlet is a cut formed in the side wall;
- the side wall includes, under the notch, a fastening portion that fastens the receiving cylinder received by the receiving portion to the receiving portion when the receiving portion does not have the receiving cylinder,
- the height of the fastening portion is smaller than the outer diameter of the one longitudinal end portion of the storage cylinder,
- a height of a portion of the side wall adjacent to the fastening portion in the second transport direction may be larger than an outer diameter of the one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder.
- a storage cylinder that does not fit on the second transport path is appropriately taken out of the second transport path, and a storage cylinder that moves on the second transport path is provided in the second transport path. It becomes possible to prevent falling off from the road.
- An alignment mechanism for aligning the direction of the storage cylinder The first transport path transports the storage cylinder whose direction is aligned by the alignment mechanism in the first transport direction,
- the aligning mechanism is configured such that the storage cylinder moves on the first transport path in a state where the one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder is positioned upstream of the other end in the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder. It is good also as aligning the direction of this storage cylinder so that it may do.
- the storage cylinder When the storage cylinder is passed from the first conveyance path to the second conveyance path, the storage cylinder may collide with the side wall. At this time, if one end in the longitudinal direction where the petal-like part is provided collides with the side wall, the petal-like part may be bent inward. If it is said structure, it is possible to prevent a petal-like part from bending inside.
- a tampon main body, a storage cylinder that stores the tampon main body, and an extrusion member that moves inside the storage cylinder and pushes the tampon main body out of the storage cylinder are provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder.
- a method for producing a tampon with a plurality of petal-shaped parts Supplying the storage cylinder by a supply mechanism; A step of inserting the tampon body and the pushing member into the storage cylinder supplied by the supply mechanism by an insertion mechanism;
- the supply mechanism is A first transport path for transporting the storage tube in a first transport direction along the longitudinal direction of the storage tube; A second transport path for transporting the storage cylinder in a second transport direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the storage cylinder;
- the second transport path is A receiving section for receiving the storage cylinder that has moved on the first transport path from the first transport path; A side wall formed at the end opposite to the side where the storage cylinder is passed from the first transport path to the receiving unit in the first transport direction; An outlet for forming the storage cylinder out of the second conveying path, formed on the side wall;
- the side wall holds the storage tube received by the receiving unit when the receiving unit does not have the storage tube, and the receiving unit receives the storage tube when the receiving unit has the storage tube.
- FIG. 29 and 30 are cross-sectional views showing components of the tampon 3010.
- FIG. 29 shows the tampon 3010 with the inner cylinder 3050 contracted
- FIG. 30 shows the tampon 3010 with the inner cylinder 3050 extended.
- FIG. 31 is a diagram showing a state in which the first inner cylinder 3051 and the second inner cylinder 3052 are connected, and is an enlarged view of a portion marked with a symbol X in FIG. 32A and 32B are external views of the outer cylinder 3040.
- FIG. FIG. 32C is a view of the outer cylinder 3040 shown in FIG. 32A as viewed from the distal end side.
- FIG. 33 is an external view of the first inner cylinder 3051.
- FIG. 34 is an external view of the second inner cylinder 3052.
- the front end side the opposite side is called the rear end side.
- the tampon 3010 of this embodiment is a sanitary product having a tampon body 3020 and an applicator 3030 as shown in FIG.
- the tampon main body 3020 has a cotton body 3021 and a cord 3022 sewn to the cotton body 3021 as shown in FIG.
- the cotton body 3021 is an absorbent body that closes the vaginal cavity and absorbs menstrual blood and the like, and is formed by cutting a cotton band covered on both sides with a nonwoven fabric and heat-molding it into a substantially bullet shape.
- the cord 3022 extends from the rear end side of the cotton body 3021 and is held by the user when the cotton body 3021 in the vaginal cavity is pulled out of the vaginal cavity. Further, as shown in FIG. 29, the cord 3022 passes through the applicator 3030 and is somewhat pulled out from the rear end of the applicator 3030.
- the applicator 3030 is an auxiliary tool for facilitating the introduction of the tampon main body 3020 (specifically, the cotton body 3021) into the vaginal cavity.
- the applicator 3030 includes an outer cylinder 3040 as an example of a storage cylinder that stores a tampon main body 3020, and an inner cylinder as an example of an extrusion member that pushes out the tampon main body 3020 stored in the outer cylinder 3040. 3050.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded using a thermoplastic resin, and has appropriate flexibility.
- the outer cylinder 3040 has a large-diameter portion 3041 provided at the front end (a portion corresponding to one end in the longitudinal direction) and a large-diameter portion 3041 provided at the rear end (a portion corresponding to the other end in the longitudinal direction).
- a small-diameter portion 3042 having a smaller outer diameter. That is, the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is larger than the outer diameter of the rear end portion.
- the dimension of each part of the outer cylinder 3040 which concerns on this embodiment, it is as showing to FIG. 32B.
- the large-diameter portion 3041 has an inner diameter slightly longer than the diameter of the tampon main body 3020, and is a portion that accommodates the tampon main body 3020 therein.
- the large diameter portion 3041 is inserted into the vaginal cavity with the tampon body 3020 stored when the tampon 3010 is used.
- the tampon main body 3020 is accommodated in the large diameter portion 3041 so that the outer peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the large diameter portion 3041.
- the small diameter portion 3042 is a portion held by the user when the tampon 3010 is used.
- the outer cylinder 3040 has an opening formed at the tip of the outer cylinder 3040 (hereinafter referred to as a tip opening 3043).
- a plurality (six in this embodiment) of petal-like portions 3044 surrounding the tip opening 3043 are provided.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 3044 is bent in an arc inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 3040 as shown in FIG. 32A. Therefore, when the outer cylinder 3040 is inserted into the vaginal cavity, the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 has a substantially hemispherical shape as shown in FIGS.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 3044 is open (that is, along the central axis direction of the outer cylinder 3040).
- the tip opening 3043 is open.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is formed at an opening formed at the rear end of the outer cylinder 3040 (hereinafter referred to as a rear end opening 3045) and slightly on the front end side from the rear end opening 3045.
- An annular rib 3046 is provided.
- an annular step 3047 is formed between the large diameter portion 3041 and the small diameter portion 3042.
- the inner cylinder 3050 is a cylindrical body inserted into the small diameter part 3042 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the inner cylinder 3050 is located on the rear end side of the tampon body 3020 in the outer cylinder 3040 and moves along the central axis direction of the outer cylinder 3040 so that the tampon body 3020 is directed toward the tip opening 3043 from the rear. Push forward. Accordingly, the tampon main body 3020 is pushed out of the outer cylinder 3040 while pushing each of the plurality of petal-like portions 3044 outward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 3040 (in other words, while opening the tip opening 3043). That is, the inner cylinder 3050 has a function of moving inside the outer cylinder 3040 and pushing the tampon main body 3020 out of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the inner cylinder 3050 of this embodiment has a structure that can be expanded and contracted in order to make the entire length of the tampon 3010 more compact. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 29, when the inner cylinder 3050 contracts, the length of the inner cylinder 3050 is shorter than the length of the outer cylinder 3040, and is a length suitable for carrying the tampon 3010. On the other hand, when the inner cylinder 3050 is extended as shown in FIG. 30, the length of the inner cylinder 3050 is sufficient to push the tampon body 3020 out of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the inner cylinder 3050 has a two-stage structure. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 29, the inner cylinder 3050 of the present embodiment includes a first inner cylinder 3051 and a second inner cylinder 3052 that is slidably inserted into the first inner cylinder 3051. Have.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 is a cylindrical body that is injection-molded with plastic.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 3042 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 is slidably inserted into the small diameter portion 3042 as shown in FIG.
- an annular flange portion 3051a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion of the first inner cylinder 3051, as shown in FIG. 33.
- the flange portion 3051 a has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the large diameter portion 3041 of the outer cylinder 3040, and the inner cylinder 3050 is locked to the inner wall surface of the step 3047 so that the inner cylinder 3050 is rear end opening 3045 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- an annular protrusion 3051 b that protrudes inward in the radial direction of the first inner cylinder 3051 is formed at the rear end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder 3051.
- the second inner cylinder 3052 is a cylinder that is injection-molded with a thermoplastic resin.
- the second inner cylinder 3052 has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder 3051.
- the second inner cylinder 3052 is inserted into the first inner cylinder 3051 as shown in FIG. 29 when the inner cylinder 3050 is contracted, and as shown in FIG. 30 when the inner cylinder 3050 is expanded.
- the front end portion of the second inner cylinder 3052 is connected to the rear end portion of the first inner cylinder 3051.
- an arcuate flange 3052a and a protrusion 3052b positioned on the rear end side of the flange 3052a are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tip of the second inner cylinder 3052.
- the height of the convex portion 3052b becomes lower toward the rear end.
- the interval between the flange portion 3052a and the convex portion 3052b of the second inner cylinder 3052 is slightly longer than the thickness of the annular protrusion 3051b of the first inner cylinder 3051.
- the annular protrusion 3051b of the first inner cylinder 3051 is positioned between the flange 3052a and the convex part 3052b of the second inner cylinder 3052.
- the annular protrusion 3051b is locked to the flange portion 3052a and the convex portion 3052b, and the first inner cylinder 3051 and the second inner cylinder 3052 are connected.
- a flared portion 3052c is formed at the rear end of the second inner cylinder 3052. It is desirable that the outer diameter of the flare-shaped portion 3052c is at least larger than the inner diameter of the first inner cylinder 3051 and not less than the inner diameter of the small diameter part 3042 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- FIGS. 35A to 35D are diagrams showing a manufacturing flow of the tampon 3010.
- 36A to 36D are transition diagrams showing how the tampon 3010 is manufactured.
- the manufacturing method of the tampon 3010 includes a step of manufacturing each article constituting the tampon 3010 (S3001), and the manufactured article is supplied to an assembly apparatus 3100 described later to assemble the tampon 3010. It includes a step of manufacturing the tampon 3010 (hereinafter, main manufacturing step S3002), a step of inspecting the manufactured tampon 3010 (S3003), and a step of packaging the tampon 3010 (S3004).
- the main manufacturing step S3002 starts from a step of supplying an injection molded outer cylinder 3040 (S3011) as shown in FIG. 35B. This step is performed by a supply mechanism 3120 described later. Note that the outer cylinder 3040 at the stage of being supplied by the supply mechanism 3120 is in a state where each of the plurality of petal-like portions 3044 is open (in other words, the state where the tip opening 3043 is open). Thereafter, a step of inserting the tampon main body 3020 and the inner cylinder 3050 into the outer cylinder 3040 supplied by the supply mechanism 3120 is performed (S3012). This step is performed by an insertion mechanism 3130 described later. Then, as the process proceeds, the tampon 3010 is gradually assembled.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 from the distal end opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the rear end of the first inner cylinder 3051 inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 protrudes from the rear end opening 3045 of the outer cylinder 3040, and the flange 3051a is locked to the inner wall surface of the step 3047 of the outer cylinder 3040. (See FIG. 36B).
- the second inner cylinder 3052 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 from the tip opening 3043.
- the second inner cylinder 3052 inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 has a rear end portion protruding from the opening on the rear end side of the first inner cylinder 3051 and a collar portion 3052a locked to the inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder 3051. (See FIG. 36C).
- the flare-like portion 3052c is not yet formed in the second inner cylinder 3052 when it is supplied to the assembling apparatus 3100.
- the flared portion 3052c is formed by thermoforming the rear end portion of the second inner cylinder 3052.
- the tampon main body 3020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 from the tip opening 3043.
- the tampon main body 3020 is inserted from the cord 3022 side.
- the tampon main body 3020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040, the cotton body 3021 is accommodated in the large-diameter portion 3041 of the outer cylinder 3040, and the cord 3022 is connected to the rear end of the applicator 3030 (specifically, the second inner cylinder 3052). From the rear end side opening).
- the assembly of the tampon 3010 is completed.
- each of the plurality of petal-like portions 3044 is bent so as to fall inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 3040, and the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 Is processed into a substantially hemispherical shape (hereinafter also referred to as tip processing) (S3013).
- tip processing a substantially hemispherical shape
- the main manufacturing step S3002 is completed.
- the assembling apparatus 3100 has an assembling conveyor 3110 (see FIG. 37).
- the assembly conveyor 3110 intermittently performs an operation (transport operation) for transporting the assembly in the transport direction. And each said process is performed sequentially on the assembly conveyor 3110 during the said conveyance operation
- FIG. 37 is a diagram schematically showing the assembling apparatus 3100.
- the assembling apparatus 3100 is an example of a manufacturing apparatus of the tampon 3010, and includes an assembly conveyor 3110, a supply mechanism 3120, and an insertion mechanism 3130 as shown in FIG.
- the assembly conveyor 3110 includes an outer cylinder 3040 in the transport direction (the direction indicated by an arrow in FIG. 37) and articles inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 (first inner cylinder 3051, second inner cylinder 3052, and tampon body 3020). ).
- a mounting table 3160 on which an outer cylinder 3040 is mounted is placed on the assembly conveyor 3110, and the mounting table 3160 is carried by the assembly conveyor 3110. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 3040 mounted on the mounting table 3160 and the article inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 are transported together with the mounting table 3160.
- a circular hole 3161 see, for example, FIG.
- the outer cylinder 3040 formed in the vertical direction is formed in the mounting table 3160, and the outer cylinder 3040 is mounted by fitting into the circular hole 3161 from the rear end side. Mounted on the base 3160. Then, as shown in FIG. 37, the outer cylinder 3040 mounted on the mounting table 3160 is in a state in which the central axis direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is along the vertical direction and the tip opening 3043 is directed substantially directly above.
- the supply mechanism 3120 is a mechanism for individually supplying the injection molded outer cylinder 3040. As shown in FIG. 37, a part of the outer cylinder 3040 supplied by the supply mechanism 3120 is mounted on the mounting table 3160 and is carried by the assembly conveyor 3110 together with the mounting table 3160.
- the supply mechanism 3170 of this embodiment incorporates an alignment mechanism 3170 that aligns the orientation of the outer cylinder 3040 (in other words, the assembling apparatus 3100 of this embodiment includes the alignment mechanism 3170).
- the aligning mechanism 3170 aligns the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 so that the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 supplied by the supply mechanism 3120 is a predetermined direction.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is aligned by the aligning mechanism 3170, so that the state shown in FIG.
- the insertion mechanism 3130 is a mechanism for inserting the inner cylinder 3050 and the tampon main body 3020 into the outer cylinder 3040 mounted on the mounting base 3160 among the outer cylinders 3040 supplied by the supply mechanism 3120. As shown in FIG. 37, the insertion mechanism 3130 includes an inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3140 that inserts the inner cylinder 3050 into the outer cylinder 3040, and a tampon body insertion mechanism 3150 that inserts the tampon body 3020 into the outer cylinder 3040.
- the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3140 inserts the inner cylinder 3050 into the outer cylinder 3040 mounted on the mounting table 3160 from the tip opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3140 of the present embodiment is a mechanism for inserting the first inner cylinder 3051 constituting the inner cylinder 3050 into the outer cylinder 3040 (hereinafter referred to as the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3141), and similarly constitutes the inner cylinder 3050.
- the second inner cylinder 3052 to be inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 (hereinafter, the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3142) is individually provided.
- the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3141 includes an inner cylinder feeder 3143, an inner cylinder pressing device 3145 that presses the first inner cylinder 3051 and inserts it into the outer cylinder 3040, the inner cylinder feeder 3143, and And a tube 3144 provided between the inner cylinder pressing devices 3145.
- the inner cylinder feeder 3143 is a parts feeder provided with a bowl-shaped vibrating table 3143a.
- the inner cylinder feeder 3143 vibrates the vibration table 3143a to sequentially move the first inner cylinder 3051 accumulated on the bottom part of the vibration table 3143a from the bottom part in a spiral manner.
- a pair of rails 3143b are connected to the end of the vibration table 3143a.
- a gap slightly longer than the outer diameter of the first inner cylinder 3051 is formed between the pair of rails 3143b.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 that has moved on the vibration table 3143a moves along the rail 3143b while being sandwiched between the pair of rails 3143b.
- the flange portion 3051a of the first inner cylinder 3051 is hooked on the top of the rail 3143b, and the first inner cylinder 3051 is suspended from the rail 3143b.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 passes through the end of the rail 3143b, the first inner cylinder 3051 falls while maintaining a posture in which the front end is positioned above the rear end, and is fed into the inner cylinder pressing device 3145 through the tube 3144. .
- the inner cylinder pressing device 3145 receives the first inner cylinder 3051 that has fallen in the tube 3144.
- the inner cylinder pressing device 3145 presses the received first inner cylinder 3051 downward by the pressing jig 3145a when the outer cylinder 3040 is transported to the lower position of the inner cylinder pressing device 3145 by the assembly conveyor 3110.
- the first inner cylinder 3051 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 from the tip opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3142 has substantially the same configuration as the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3141, and thus the description thereof is omitted. As shown in FIG. 37, the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3142 is disposed downstream of the first inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3141 in the transport direction of the assembly conveyor 3110. Therefore, the second inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3142 inserts the second inner cylinder 3052 into the outer cylinder 3040 in which the first inner cylinder 3051 is inserted.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 3150 inserts the tampon main body 3020 into the outer cylinder 3040 from the tip opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 3150 is disposed downstream of the inner cylinder insertion mechanism 3140 in the transport direction of the assembly conveyor 3110. Therefore, the tampon main body insertion mechanism 3150 inserts the tampon main body 3020 into the outer cylinder 3040 into which the first inner cylinder 3051 and the second inner cylinder 3052 are inserted (in other words, the assembled applicator 3030).
- the tampon main body insertion mechanism 3150 includes a guide tube 3151, a suction device 3152, and a tampon main body pressing device 3153.
- the guide tube 3151 is a cylinder that guides the tampon body 3020 when the tampon body 3020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040.
- the guide tube 3151 is connected to the outer cylinder 3040 mounted on the mounting base 3160 as shown in FIG. 37 with the tampon body 3020 held in the guide tube 3151. More specifically, when the outer cylinder 3040 is transported to a position below the guide tube 3151 by the assembly conveyor 3110, the guide tube 3151 is lowered. Thereby, the front-end
- the tampon main body 3020 is held in the guide tube 3151 so that the cord 3022 is positioned below the cotton body 3021 and hangs down.
- the tampon main body pressing device 3153 presses the tampon main body 3020 held in the guide tube 3151 downward with the guide tube 3151 connected to the outer cylinder 3040. Thereby, the tampon main body 3020 moves in the guide tube 3151 and is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 connected to the guide tube 3151 from the side where the cord 3022 is provided.
- the suction device 3152 includes a rear end side of the outer cylinder 3040 while the tampon main body pressing device 3153 presses the tampon main body 3020 (specifically, an opening on the rear end side of the second inner cylinder 3052 inserted into the outer cylinder 3040). ) Intake from.
- the tampon main body 3020 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 by the suction of the suction device 3152, the cord 3022 is pulled almost right below. As a result, the cord 3022 smoothly passes through the tip opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the cord 3022 is opened on the rear end side of the second inner cylinder 3052 inserted into the outer cylinder 3040 (in other words, the assembled applicator 3030). (The rear end) is pulled out somewhat.
- FIG. 38 is an enlarged view of the supply mechanism 3120 shown in FIG.
- FIG. 39 is a plan view of the supply mechanism 3120 as viewed from above.
- the supply mechanism 3120 individually supplies the injection-molded outer cylinder 3040. That is, the outer cylinder 3040 supplied by the supply mechanism 3120 is set on the assembly conveyor 3110 at regular intervals (specifically, mounted on the mounting table 3160 mounted on the assembly conveyor 3110). Further, the supply mechanism 3120 includes an outer cylinder feeder 3121, a conveyance path 3122, and an outer cylinder setting unit 3123, as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, each component of the supply mechanism 3120 will be described.
- the outer cylinder feeder 3121 is a parts feeder having a bowl-shaped vibrating table 3121a, and is an apparatus that moves the outer cylinder 3040 placed on the vibrating table 3121a by vibrating the vibrating table 3121a.
- the vibration table 3121a is an example of a mounting table.
- the injection-molded outer cylinder 3040 is once accumulated on the bottom of the vibration table 3121a and then spirally moves from the bottom as shown in FIG.
- the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the vibration table 3121a so that the moving direction (the direction indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 39) is along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the outer cylinder feeder 3121 moves the plurality of outer cylinders 3040 so that the plurality of outer cylinders 3040 are aligned along the movement direction on the vibration table 3121a.
- the conveyance path 3122 is for receiving the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the vibration table 3121a from the vibration table 3121a and conveying the outer cylinder 3040.
- the transport path 3122 includes a guide path 3200, a drop shooter 3210, a first transport path 3220, a second transport path 3230, and a third transport path 3240 in order from the top.
- the guide path 3200 is a part of the transport path 3122 that receives the outer cylinder 3040 from the outer cylinder feeder 3121 and guides the outer cylinder 3040 to the falling shooter 3210.
- the guide path 3200 is formed at the upstream end of the transport path 3122 and is located at the uppermost position in the transport path 3122.
- the start end of the guide path 3200 is directly connected to the vibration table 3121a, and the end of the guide path 3200 extends to the opening 3211 of the drop shooter 3210.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the vibration table 3121a is moved toward the drop shooter 3210 while being guided by the guide path 3200 after being transferred to the guide path 3200.
- the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is changed. More specifically, the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the vibration table 3121a along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040 moves in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040 on the guide path 3200. Converted to The purpose of changing the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 in this way is to put the outer cylinder 3040 into the dropping shooter 3210 in a state where the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the opening 3211 of the dropping shooter 3210. is there. The outer cylinder 3040 whose direction is changed as described above moves on the guide path 3200 while maintaining the direction. On the other hand, the outer cylinder 3040 whose direction has not been properly changed is bounced back to the bottom of the vibration table 3121a.
- the outer cylinders 3040 that have moved on the guide path 3200 are thrown in one by one.
- the number of outer cylinders 3040 passed from the outer cylinder feeder 3121 to the guide path 3200 per unit time is larger than the number of outer cylinders 3040 thrown from the guide path 3200 to the drop shooter 3210 per unit time. Therefore, on the guide path 3200, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the outer cylinders 3040 are temporarily arranged side by side (specifically, aligned in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040). It will be accumulated in.
- the drop shooter 3210 is a part of the transport path 3122 that drops the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the guide path 3200 substantially below.
- the opening 3211 of the drop shooter 3210 has a substantially rectangular shape and is adjacent to the end portion of the guide path 3200.
- the outer cylinder 3040 located at the end of the guide path 3200 is thrown into the drop shooter 3210 through the opening 3211 and falls.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is introduced into the drop shooter 3210 in a state where the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is along the longitudinal direction of the opening 3040.
- an alignment mechanism 3170 is disposed in the opening 3211 of the drop shooter 3210.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is aligned by the aligning mechanism 3170 when being introduced into the drop shooter 3210 from the opening 3211. Specifically, the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is aligned so that the rear end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 falls before the front end portion. Thereafter, the outer cylinder 3040 falls to the lower end of the drop shooter 3210 while maintaining the above-mentioned direction.
- the first transport path 3220 is connected to the lower end of the drop shooter 3210 and is a part that transports the outer cylinder 3040 that has dropped the drop shooter 3210.
- the outer cylinder 3040 sent from the outer cylinder feeder 3121 passes through the guide path 3200 and the drop shooter 3210, reaches the first conveyance path 3220, and is conveyed by the first conveyance path 3220.
- the outer cylinder feeder 3121 moves the outer cylinder 3040 placed on the vibration table 3121a included in the outer cylinder feeder 3121 toward the first conveyance path 3220.
- the first transport path 3220 transports the outer cylinder 3040 in a first transport direction (the direction indicated by the symbol C1 in FIGS. 38 and 39) along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder.
- the first conveyance path 3220 is inclined so that the outer cylinder 3040 slides down on the first conveyance path 3220. Furthermore, since the first conveyance path 3220 is located downstream of the alignment mechanism 3170, the first cylinder 3040 conveys the outer cylinder 3040 whose direction is aligned by the alignment mechanism 3170.
- the aligning mechanism 3170 aligns the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 so that the rear end of the outer cylinder 3040 falls before the front end in the drop shooter 3210. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the first conveyance path 3220 in a state where the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is located upstream of the rear end portion in the first conveyance direction.
- the second transport path 3230 is connected to the terminal end of the first transport path 3220, and is a part that receives and transports the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the first transport path 3220 from the first transport path 3220. Similar to the first transport path 3220, the second transport path 3230 is inclined so that the outer cylinder 3040 slides down on the second transport path 3230.
- the second conveyance path 3230 extends toward the assembly conveyor 3110. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 3040 moves toward the assembly conveyor 3110 by sliding down on the second conveyance path 3230.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the second conveyance path 3230 is transferred to an outer cylinder setting section 3123 described later, and is set on the assembly conveyor 3110 by the outer cylinder setting section 3123.
- the second transport path 3230 is formed so as to intersect with the first transport path 3220 (specifically, to be orthogonal). Therefore, the second conveyance direction (the direction indicated by symbol C2 in FIG. 39) in which the second conveyance path 3230 conveys the outer cylinder 3040 intersects (is orthogonal to) the first conveyance direction. In other words, the second conveyance path 3230 conveys the outer cylinder 3040 received from the first conveyance path 3220 in the second conveyance direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040.
- second transport direction in which the second transport path 3230 transports the outer cylinder 3040 intersects (is orthogonal) with the direction (first transport direction) in which the first transport path 3220 transports the outer cylinder 3040.
- the outer cylinder 3040 may be accumulated on the second conveyance path 3230. This is because the number of outer cylinders 3040 delivered from the first conveyance path 3220 to the second conveyance path 3230 per unit time is equal to the number of outer cylinders 3040 delivered from the second conveyance path 3230 to the outer cylinder setting unit 3123 per unit time. This is because there are more than numbers.
- the second conveyance path 3230 conveys the outer cylinder 3040 in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040
- the outer cylinder 3040 is located on the second conveyance path 3230 for the above reason.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is accumulated in a direction along the longitudinal direction (that is, accumulated in a vertically arranged state).
- the outer cylinder 3040 is oriented by the aligning mechanism 3170 so that the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the first conveyance path 3220 in a state where the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is located upstream of the rear end portion in the first conveyance direction. Can be aligned. As a result, when the outer cylinders 3040 are stacked in a vertically aligned state on the second conveyance path 3230, the outer cylinders 3040 are connected to each other on the second conveyance path 3230.
- the outer opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040 on the more downstream side is connected to the outer side on the more upstream side.
- the rear end portion of the tube 3040 is fitted (so-called biting phenomenon).
- This biting phenomenon is caused by the fact that a plurality of petal-like portions 3044 provided in the outer cylinder 3040 on the downstream side are tilted outward to expand the tip opening 3043, and the rear end portion of the upstream outer cylinder 3040 is expanded by the tip opening 3043. As a result, it becomes easy to fit.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is stacked side by side on the second conveyance path 3230. Therefore, the biting phenomenon does not occur on the second conveyance path 3230, and the outer cylinder 3040 can be appropriately accumulated on the second conveyance path 3230. Note that, as shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the outer cylinders 3040 accumulated on the second conveyance path 3230 are aligned in the direction between the outer cylinders 3040. This is because the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the first conveyance path 3220 in a state where the direction is aligned by the alignment mechanism 3170 and is passed to the second conveyance path 3230 with the direction being aligned.
- the start end of the second transport path 3230 (that is, the upstream end of the second transport path 3230 in the second transport direction) is connected to the terminal end of the first transport path 3220 via a step, It is located at a position lower than the end portion of the first transport path 3220 (see, for example, FIG. 42). Therefore, the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 falls after reaching the end of the first conveyance path 3220 and is received by the start end of the conveyance path 3230.
- the start end of the second conveyance path 3230 includes a receiving unit 3231 that receives the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved (slid down) on the first conveyance path 3220 from the first conveyance path 3220.
- the receiving part 3231 of this embodiment can hold
- the second transport path 3230 has side walls 3232 and 3233 at both ends in the direction intersecting the second transport direction (that is, the first transport direction).
- Each of the side walls 3232 and 3233 extends from the upstream end to the downstream end of the second transport path 3230 and stands substantially vertically.
- the outer cylinder 3040 on the second conveyance path 3230 moves on the second conveyance path 3230 while being accommodated between the side walls 3232 and 3233.
- the interval between the side walls 3232 and 3233 is somewhat longer than the length (specifically, about 66 mm) from the front end to the rear end of the outer cylinder 3040 when the petal-like portion 3044 is open. In this embodiment, it is about 80 mm (see FIG. 42).
- FIG. 38 an introduction port 3232a for introducing the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the first conveyance path 3220 into the receiving portion 3231 is formed.
- the outer cylinder 3040 is brought out of the second conveyance path 3230 on the side wall 3233 formed at the end opposite to the side where the outer cylinder 3040 is passed to the receiving portion 3231 (hereinafter, the other end).
- a discharge port 3233a is formed. From the discharge port 3233a, the outer cylinder 3040 received by the receiving unit 3231 when the receiving unit 3231 has the outer cylinder 3040 (that is, the outer unit 3231 that has already held the outer cylinder 3040 has newly received the outer cylinder 3040).
- the cylinder 3040) is discharged.
- the introduction port 3232a and the discharge port 3233a are both provided at the start end of the second transport path 3230 and are located at substantially the same position in the second transport direction.
- the third transport path 3240 is connected to the start end of the second transport path 3230, and is a part that receives and transports the outer cylinder 3040 that has been taken out of the second transport path 3230 from the discharge port 3233a.
- the third conveyance path 3240 is inclined so that the outer cylinder 3040 slides down on the third conveyance path 3240, similarly to the first conveyance path 3220 and the second conveyance path 3230.
- the third conveyance path 3240 extends from the discharge port 3233 a to the bottom of the vibration table 3121 a of the outer cylinder feeder 3121.
- the outer cylinder 3040 taken out of the second conveyance path 3230 from the discharge port 3233a is returned to the outer cylinder feeder 3121 by sliding down on the third conveyance path 3240, and again from the upstream side of the conveyance path 3122. It moves on the transport path 3122.
- the outer cylinder setting unit 3123 receives the outer cylinder 3040 sliding down on the second conveyance path 3230 from the second conveyance path 3230 and sets the outer cylinder 3040 on the assembly conveyor 3110. More specifically, the outer cylinder setting unit 3123 mounts the outer cylinder 3040 received from the second conveyance path 3230 on a mounting table 3160 mounted on the assembly conveyor 3110.
- the outer cylinder setting unit 3123 has an outer cylinder receiving table 3123a and a rotating mechanism (not shown) for rotating the outer cylinder receiving table 3123a.
- 40A and 40B are diagrams showing the outer cylinder setting portion 3123.
- the outer cylinder receiving stand 3123a is disposed at a position adjacent to the end portion of the second transport path 3230 in the second transport direction. Further, the outer cylinder receiving stand 3123a is located below the end of the second transport path 3230.
- the outer cylinder receiving stand 3123a receives the outer cylinder 3040 that has dropped from the terminal end of the second conveyance path 3230.
- the number of outer cylinders that can be received by the outer cylinder receiving base 3123a is one.
- the outer cylinder receiving stand 3123a receives the outer cylinder 3040 in a state where the longitudinal direction thereof is along the horizontal direction.
- the outer cylinder receiving base 3123a rotates so that the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder receiving base 3123a is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction, as shown in FIG. 40B.
- the outer cylinder 3040 on the outer cylinder receiving table 3123a slides down on the outer cylinder receiving table 3123a.
- the outer cylinder 3040 comes down first from the rear end side (that is, the outer cylinder receiving stand 3123a rotates so that the outer cylinder 3040 descends first from the rear end).
- a mounting table 3160 stands by in front of the lower end portion of the outer cylinder receiving table 3123a in an inclined state.
- the outer cylinder 3040 slid down on the outer cylinder receiving table 3123 a is fitted into the circular hole 3161 of the mounting table 3160 from the rear end side, and is mounted on the mounting table 3160.
- FIG. 41A is a diagram illustrating an arrangement position of the alignment mechanism 3170.
- FIG. 41B is a plan view of the alignment mechanism 3170.
- FIG. 41C is a diagram showing a state where the outer cylinder 3040 passes through the hole 3171 of the alignment mechanism 3170.
- the alignment mechanism 3170 of this embodiment is a flat plate provided in the opening 3211 of the drop shooter 3210 as shown in FIG. 41A, and has substantially the same size as the opening 3211. As shown in FIG. 41B, the alignment mechanism 3170 includes a hole 3171 formed to allow the outer cylinder 3040 to pass therethrough, a pair of first protrusions 3172 and a pair of second protrusions that protrude toward the inside of the hole 3171. Part 3173.
- the hole 3171 is a substantially rectangular hole 3171 and is formed to be slightly larger than the outer shape of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the guide path 3200 passes through the hole 3171 and is thrown into the drop shooter 3210.
- the outer cylinder 3040 passes through the hole 3171 so that the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is along the longitudinal direction of the hole 3171 as shown in FIG. 41B.
- the pair of first protrusions 3172 is located on one end side in the longitudinal direction of the hole 3171 and is formed so that the first protrusions 3172 face each other.
- the pair of second projecting portions 3173 are located on the other end side in the longitudinal direction of the hole 3171 and are formed so that the second projecting portions 3173 face each other.
- the distance between the pair of first protrusions 3172 and the distance between the pair of second protrusions 3173 is larger than the outer diameter of the small diameter part 3042 of the outer cylinder 3040 as shown in FIG. Smaller than the diameter.
- the outer diameter of the annular rib 3046 of the outer cylinder 3040 is larger than the interval between the pair of first protrusions 3172 and the interval between the pair of second protrusions 3173.
- a portion of the outer cylinder 3040 where the large-diameter portion 3041 and the annular rib 3046 are formed can pass between the pair of first protrusions 3172 and the pair of second protrusions 3173.
- the small diameter portion 3042 can pass between the pair of first protrusions 3172 and between the pair of second protrusions 3173.
- the positional relationship between the outer cylinder 3040 passing through the hole 3171, the first protrusion 3172, and the second protrusion 3173 will be described.
- the first projecting portion 3172 and the second projecting portion 3173 are located at a position where they do not contact the annular rib 3046 in the longitudinal direction of the hole 3171.
- the first protrusion 3172 is located at a position where it comes into contact with the large-diameter portion 3041 (more specifically, the portion on the rear end side with respect to the petal-like portion 3044).
- the first projecting portion 3172 is located at a position where the large diameter portion 3041 cannot pass between the first projecting portion 3172 that forms a pair.
- the 2nd protrusion part 3173 will be located in the position where the small diameter part 3042 passes between the 2nd protrusion parts 3173 which make a pair.
- the outer cylinder 3040 passes through the hole 3171 under the positional relationship as described above, the large diameter portion 3041 cannot pass between the pair of first protrusions 3172, whereas the small diameter portion 3042 has a pair of second protrusions. It passes between the parts 3173. As a result, the rear end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 first drops. Thereafter, the outer cylinder 3040 is inclined so that the rear end is positioned below the front end. As a result, the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 passes through the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the hole 3171 (between the pair of first projecting portions 3172 and the pair of second projecting portions 3173).
- the rear end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 drops the drop shooter 3210 before the front end portion. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 3040 enters the first conveyance path 3220 connected to the drop shooter 3210 from the rear end side, and the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is positioned upstream of the rear end portion in the first conveyance direction. In this state, it moves on the first conveyance path 3220.
- the small-diameter portion 3042 is a pair of first protrusions.
- the large-diameter portion 3041 cannot pass between the pair of second protrusions 3173 while passing between 3172. Therefore, also in the above case, the rear end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 drops the drop shooter 3210 before the front end portion. Then, the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the first conveyance path 3220 in a state where the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is located upstream of the rear end portion in the first conveyance direction.
- the outer cylinder 3040 may be accumulated on the second conveyance path 3230. That is, as a result of the outer cylinder 3040 being accommodated from the beginning to the end of the second conveyance path 3230, the outer cylinder 3040 cannot be accommodated in the second conveyance path 3230 (that is, the outer cylinder 3040 on the second conveyance path 3230). May be clogged). Therefore, the outer cylinder 3040 newly received by the receiving unit 3231 when the outer cylinder 3040 is accumulated from the start end to the end of the second transfer path 3230 is taken out (released) out of the second transfer path 3230. I am going to do that.
- FIG. 42 is an enlarged view of a portion marked with a symbol Y in FIG.
- FIG. 43 is a diagram schematically showing the positional relationship in the vertical direction of the first transport path 3220, the second transport path 3230, and the third transport path 3240, and the positional relationship is shown by the arrows in FIG. It is the figure seen from direction A.
- 44A and 44B are views showing a state when the receiving unit 3231 receives the outer cylinder 3040, and are views seen from the arrow direction B shown in FIG.
- the 2nd conveyance path 3230 is provided with the above-mentioned receiving part 3231 in the starting end part. Further, as shown in FIG. 42, the second transport path 3230 includes a holding plate 3234 provided on the downstream side of the receiving portion 3231 in the second transport direction.
- the restraining plate 3234 restricts the outer cylinders 3040 accumulated on the second conveyance path 3230 from being stacked on the other outer cylinders 3040. More specifically, the distance between the lower surface of the holding plate 3234 and the bottom surface of the second conveyance path 3230 is slightly longer than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 (specifically, about 15 mm).
- the outer cylinder 3040 received by the receiving unit 3231 passes between the lower surface of the holding plate 3234 and the bottom surface of the second conveyance path 3230 when moving on the second conveyance path 3230. As a result, when the outer cylinder 3040 is accumulated on the second conveyance path 3230, each outer cylinder 3040 is accumulated without being stacked on the other outer cylinder 3040.
- the portion of the holding plate 3234 that is located on the most upstream side in the second conveyance direction is the outer diameter of the large-diameter portion 3041 of the outer cylinder 3040 from the start end (the upstream end in the second conveyance direction) of the second conveyance path 3230.
- the receiving unit 3231 is located between the start end of the second transport path 3230 and the holding plate 3234 in the second transport direction. That is, the receiving unit 3231 of the present embodiment is a space formed between the start end of the second transport path 3230 and the holding plate 3234 in the second transport direction.
- the receiving part 3231 has a width
- the receiving unit 3231 is a depression sandwiched between the terminal end of the first transport path 3220 and the start end of the third transport path 3240. That is, the bottom surface of the start end portion of the second transport path 3230 is located at a position lower than the bottom surfaces of the terminal end portion of the first transport path 3220 and the start end portion of the third transport path 3240.
- the side wall 3232 at one end of the second transport path 3230 (the end on the side where the outer cylinder 3040 is passed from the first transport path 3220 to the receiving section 3231 in the first transport direction) is introduced as described above.
- a mouth 3232a is formed.
- the introduction port 3232a is a substantially rectangular cut (hereinafter also referred to as a cut on one end side) formed at the upstream end of the side wall 3232 in the second transport direction.
- the first conveyance path 3220 extends to the notch on the one end side.
- the lateral width of the cut on one end side is equal to the lateral width of the end portion of the first transport path 3220, specifically about 33 mm.
- the height of the step formed under the notch is the height of the portion of the side wall 3232 at one end of the second conveyance path 3230 that is located below the notch on one end side (that is, the introduction port 3232a). It is. In the present embodiment, the height is longer than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 (that is, the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 3041) and shorter than twice the outer diameter (specifically, about 20 mm).
- the side wall 3233 provided at the other end of the second transport path 3230 (the end opposite to the side where the outer cylinder 3040 is passed from the first transport path 3220 to the receiving section 3231 in the first transport direction)
- the discharge port 3233a is formed.
- the discharge port 3233a is also a substantially rectangular cut (hereinafter also referred to as a cut on the other end side) formed at the upstream end of the side wall 3233 in the second transport direction.
- the third conveyance path 3240 extends from the cut on the other end side.
- the lateral width of the cut on the other end side is equal to the lateral width of the start end portion of the third transport path 3240, specifically about 30 mm.
- incision of the other end side among the side walls 3233 in the other end part of the 2nd conveyance path 3230 forms the level
- the height of the step is shorter than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 (that is, the outer diameter of the large diameter portion 3041) (specifically, about 8 mm).
- the recess as the receiving portion 3231 receives the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220. Further, the recess has a depth sufficient to hold only one outer cylinder 3040 in the vertical direction (keep in the recess). That is, the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the outer cylinder 3040 is not in the depression falls into the depression and is held in the depression.
- the mechanism by which the outer cylinder 3040 is held in the recess will be described with reference to FIG. 44A.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when there is no outer cylinder 3040 in the dent falls into the dent in a state where the momentum when sliding down on the first conveyance path 3220 remains attached.
- the outer cylinder 3040 falls into the recess in a state where the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is substantially parallel to the first transport direction (in other words, a state substantially orthogonal to the second transport direction).
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has fallen into the depression (that is, the outer cylinder 3040 received in the depression) is locked by the side wall 3233 formed at the other end of the second conveyance path 3230 so as to be retained in the depression. become.
- the side wall 3233 formed at the other end of the second conveyance path 3230 holds the outer cylinder 3040 that has been slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the outer cylinder 3040 is not in the depression in the depression. deep.
- the side wall 3233 formed at the other end portion of the second conveyance path 3230 has a retaining portion 3233b under the other end side cut (that is, the discharge port 3233a).
- the fastening portion 3233b locks the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the outer cylinder 3040 is not in the recess. Then, the outer cylinder 3040 locked by the retaining portion 3233b loses momentum when it slides down on the first conveyance path 3220 and is retained in the recess.
- the direction of the outer cylinder 3040 is aligned by the aligning mechanism 3170, and the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the first conveyance path 3220 in a state where the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is positioned upstream of the rear end portion in the first conveyance direction. .
- the outer cylinder 3040 is locked to the fastening part 3233b, the rear end of the outer cylinder 3040 collides with the fastening part 3233b. If the tip of the outer cylinder 3040 collides with the retaining portion 3233b, the petal-like portion 3044 provided at the end on the tip side is bent inward.
- the tip opening 3043 of the outer cylinder 3040 becomes narrow, and therefore the tampon main body 3020 and the inner cylinder 3050 are inserted in the step of inserting the tampon main body 3020 and the inner cylinder 3050 into the outer cylinder 3040. Inconveniences such as difficulty will occur. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the rear end of the outer cylinder 3040 collides with the fastening portion 3233b, so that the above inconvenience can be avoided.
- the outer cylinder 3040 retained in the recess as the receiving portion 3231 is moved in accordance with the movement of the outer cylinder 3040 located further downstream in the second conveyance path 3230 on the second conveyance path 3230. It moves to the downstream side of the second conveyance path 3230. As a result, the outer cylinder 3040 is eliminated from the depression, and the outer cylinder 3040 received by the depression thereafter is retained in the depression.
- the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the second conveyance path 3230 while being regulated by the side walls 3232 and 3233 provided on the second conveyance path 3230.
- the side wall 3233 formed at the other end portion of the second transport path 3230 includes a portion (hereinafter referred to as an adjacent portion 3233c) adjacent to the fastening portion 3233b in the second transport direction.
- the height of the adjacent portion 3233c is larger than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 as shown in FIG.
- the side wall 3232 formed at one end of the second transport path 3230 includes a portion facing the adjacent portion 3233c (hereinafter, facing portion 3232b).
- the height of the facing portion 3232b is larger than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 as shown in FIG. For this reason, the outer cylinder 3040 moves between the adjacent portion 3233c and the facing portion 3232b when moving on the second conveyance path 3230. As a result, the outer cylinder 3040 moving on the second conveyance path 3230 is prevented from falling off the second conveyance path 3230.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the outer cylinder 3040 is in the recess as the receiving portion 3231 is taken out of the second conveyance path 3230 through the discharge port 3233a. That is, when the outer cylinder 3040 is accumulated from the beginning to the end of the second conveyance path 3230, the outer cylinder 3040 received by the depression passes through the depression and passes through the discharge port 3233a to carry out the third conveyance. Passed to path 3240.
- this will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 44B.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that the recess has received first is referred to as the previous outer cylinder 3040, and the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the previous outer cylinder 3040 is present in the recess. (In other words, the outer cylinder 3040 that the recess received later) is referred to as the rear outer cylinder 3040.
- the rear outer cylinder 3040 passes through the inlet 3232a and falls into the recess, it is overlaid on the front outer cylinder 3040 as shown in FIG. 44B. That is, the recess as the receiving portion 3231 is formed by replacing the outer cylinder 3040 (that is, the rear outer cylinder 3040) that has been slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the previous outer cylinder 3040 exists in the recess with the previous outer cylinder. Receive over 3040.
- the outer cylinder 3040 after being superimposed on the previous outer cylinder 3040 moves in the recess so as to slide on the previous outer cylinder 3040 (see FIG. 42).
- the rear outer cylinder 3040 moves so that the longitudinal direction of the rear outer cylinder 3040 is along the longitudinal direction of the previous outer cylinder 3040. That is, the rear outer cylinder 3040 continues to move in the direction when sliding down on the first transport path 3220 (that is, the first transport direction) even after being received in the recess.
- the rear outer cylinder 3040 passes through the discharge port 3233a. That is, the side wall 3233 formed at the other end of the second conveyance path 3230 takes the outer cylinder 3040 that has been superimposed on the previous outer cylinder 3040 out of the second conveyance path 3230 from the discharge port 3233a. It becomes like this.
- the height of the fastening portion 3233b formed on the side wall 3233 is smaller than the outer diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040. For this reason, the fastening portion 3233b cannot lock the outer cylinder 3040 after being stacked on the outer cylinder 3040 while locking the previous outer cylinder 3040. Accordingly, the rear outer cylinder 3040 continues to move in the recess as the receiving portion 3231 while maintaining the momentum when sliding down on the first conveying path 3220, and as a result, the rear outer cylinder 3040 passes over the retaining portion 3233b to the third conveying path 3240. (In other words, it is taken out of the second conveyance path 3230 from the notch on the other end side).
- the outer cylinder 3040 after being taken out of the second conveyance path 3230 is returned to the outer cylinder feeder 3121 (specifically, the bottom of the vibration table 3121a included in the outer cylinder feeder 3121) by the third conveyance path 3240. (See FIGS. 38 and 39). That is, the outer cylinder 3040 taken out of the second conveyance path 3230 is conveyed again toward the first conveyance path 3220 by the outer cylinder feeder 3121 and moves outside the second conveyance path 3230. It circulates between 3121 and the conveyance path 3122.
- FIG. 45 is a view showing a comparative example for explaining the effectiveness of the assembling apparatus 3100 of the present embodiment.
- the outer cylinder 3040 may be stacked side by side on the second conveyance path 3230. Further, when the outer cylinder 3040 is accumulated from the start end to the end of the second conveyance path 3230, the outer cylinder 3040 cannot be completely accommodated on the second conveyance path 3230. That is, the outer cylinder 3040 further received by the receiving unit 3231 when the receiving unit 3231 has the outer cylinder 3040 cannot be accommodated on the second conveyance path 3230.
- the outer cylinder 3040 As for the outer cylinder 3040 that cannot fit on the second conveyance path 3230, as shown in FIG. 45, the outer cylinder 3040 gradually accumulates in front of the receiving portion 3231 (that is, the end portion of the first conveyance path 3220). To go. At this time, the outer cylinder 3040 is stacked in a direction along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder 3040. Further, the outer cylinder 3040 is oriented by the aligning mechanism 3170 so that the outer cylinder 3040 moves on the first conveyance path 3220 in a state where the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is located upstream of the rear end portion in the first conveyance direction. Can be aligned.
- the outer cylinders 3040 stacked in front of the receiving part 3231 are connected to each other as shown in FIG. That is, the above-described biting phenomenon occurs before the receiving unit 3231. If the outer cylinders 3040 remain connected to each other, the outer cylinders 3040 cannot be individually supplied, and the outer cylinders 3040 are not properly set on the assembly conveyor 3110. As a result, the production speed of the tampon 3010 may be reduced.
- the first conveyance path 3220 is passed.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has been made is fastened to the receiving portion 3231.
- the second conveyance path Take out 3230 for the outer cylinder 3040 passed when the outer cylinder 3040 cannot be stored on the second conveyance path 3230 (that is, when the outer cylinder 3040 is present in the receiving portion 3231), the second conveyance path Take out 3230.
- the outer cylinder 3040 newly transferred from the first conveyance path 3220 to the second conveyance path 3230 is appropriately conveyed according to the degree of fit of the outer cylinder 3040 on the second conveyance path 3230. It is possible to carry it forward. As a result, the outer cylinder 3040 is not stacked in front of the receiving portion 3231, and the problem illustrated in FIG. 45, that is, the occurrence of the biting phenomenon in front of the receiving portion 3231 is eliminated. Therefore, with the assembling apparatus 3100 of this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately supply the outer cylinder 3040 and efficiently manufacture the tampon 3010.
- the inner diameter of the front end portion (that is, the large diameter portion 3041) of the outer cylinder 3040 is larger than the outer diameter of the rear end portion (that is, the small diameter portion 3042).
- the rear end portion of the other outer cylinder 3040 is easily fitted into the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040, and the above-described biting phenomenon is likely to occur.
- the inner diameter of the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the rear end portion, when the petal-like portion 3044 falls to the outside and the front end opening 3043 widens, the rear end extends to the distal end portion. There is a possibility that the part fits. That is, even if the inner diameter of the front end portion of the outer cylinder 3040 is the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the rear end portion, the biting phenomenon can occur, and thus the assembling apparatus 3100 of this embodiment is effective. Become.
- each of the first conveyance path 3220 and the third conveyance path 3240 is inclined so that the outer cylinder 3040 slides down on each of the first conveyance path 3220 and the third conveyance path 3240, and the receiving unit 3231 has the first conveyance path 3220 and The depression is sandwiched between the third conveyance paths 3240.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220 when the outer cylinder 3040 is in the depression uses the momentum when the outer cylinder 3040 has slid down on the first conveyance path 3220, The paper is discharged out of the second conveyance path 3230. Accordingly, the outer cylinder 3040 can be appropriately taken out of the second conveyance path 3230 without separately providing a device for taking the outer cylinder 3040 out of the second conveyance path 3230.
- the tampon 3010 having the two-stage inner cylinder 3050 (that is, the expandable / contractible inner cylinder 3050) as the extrusion member has been described.
- the present invention is not limited to this.
- a tampon 3010 having an inner cylinder 3050 with a fixed length (not stretchable) may be used.
- the outer cylinder 3040 including the large diameter portion 3041 and the small diameter portion 3042 has been described.
- the outer cylinder 3040 in which the small diameter portion 3042 is not provided may be used. That is, the outer diameter and the inner diameter may be the same between the front end portion (one longitudinal end portion) and the rear end portion (the other longitudinal end portion) of the outer cylinder 3040.
- the outer cylinder 3040 that has moved on the second conveyance path 3230 is moved from the second conveyance path 3230 to the assembly conveyor 3110 (more specifically, the assembly conveyor 3110 via the outer cylinder setting unit 3123). It was passed to the mounting table 3160) placed on the conveyor 3110. That is, in the above-described embodiment, the second transport path 3230 is the part immediately adjacent to the assembly conveyor 3110 in the transport path 3122, but is not limited thereto.
- the second conveyance path 3230 may not be a portion in the conveyance path 3122 immediately adjacent to the assembly conveyor 3110, and may be, for example, a part provided in the middle position of the conveyance path 3122.
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Abstract
Description
本発明は、タンポンの製造装置及びタンポンの製造方法に関する。
本発明は、タンポンの製造方法、及び、タンポンの製造装置に関する。特に、タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納し、先端に形成された開口と該開口を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分とを備える収納筒と、該収納筒内において移動可能であり、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを有するタンポンの製造方法、及び、当該タンポンの製造装置に関する。
本発明は、タンポンの製造装置、及び、タンポンの製造方法に関する。特に、タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納する収納筒と、該収納筒内を移動して前記タンポン本体を該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収納筒の長手方向一端部に複数の花弁状部分を備えるタンポンの製造装置、及び、当該タンポンの製造方法に関する。
身体の膣腔に挿入して経血等を吸収するタンポン(生理用タンポン)は、既に知られている。このタンポンは、例えば、経血等の液体を吸収する吸収体と、前記吸収体を収容する筒状の収容部材と、前記収容部材内を移動して前記吸収体を前記収容部材の外に押し出す押出部材とを備えている。そして、タンポンの使用者が、吸収体が収容された収容部材を膣腔に挿入した後に、押出部材によって前記吸収体を押し出すことにより、吸収体が膣腔内に導入される。そして、膣腔内に導入された吸収体が、経血等を吸収する(特許文献1参照)。
タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納し、先端に形成された開口と該開口を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分とを備える収納筒と、該収納筒内において移動可能であり、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを有するタンポンは、生理用品として広く知られている(例えば、特許文献1参照)。
上記構成のタンポンは、例えば、該タンポンを構成する各物品(すなわち、タンポン本体、収納筒、及び、押出部材)を製造し、押出部材及びタンポン本体のそれぞれを収納筒の開口から該収納筒に挿入することにより製造される。
タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納する収納筒と、該収納筒内を移動して前記タンポン本体を該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収納筒の長手方向一端部に複数の花弁状部分を備えるタンポンは、生理用品として広く知られている(例えば、特許文献1参照)。上記タンポンは、該タンポンを構成するタンポン本体、収納筒、及び、押出部材の各々を製造し、押出部材及びタンポン本体を収納筒に挿入することによって製造される。また、タンポンの製造装置には、製造された収納筒を供給する供給機構が設けられていることがある。また、当該供給機構には収納筒を搬送する搬送路が備えられている。この搬送路が収納筒を搬送することにより、該収納筒は所定の供給先に供給される。
さらに、前記搬送路は、収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向に沿う第一搬送方向に搬送する第一搬送路と、該第一搬送路上を移動してきた収納筒を該第一搬送路から受け取り、該収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向と交差する第二搬送方向に搬送する第二搬送路とを備えている場合がある。かかる場合では、第二搬送路が、第一搬送路から収納筒を受け取る受け取り部を備えている。第一搬送路上を移動してきた収納筒は、前記受け取り部に受け取られた後、第二搬送路上を移動するようになる。
上記構成のタンポンの製造においては、まず、タンポンの構成品(吸収体、収容部材、押出部材)を製造する。その後、製造された構成品をそれぞれ搬送コンベア等に供給して、搬送コンベア等において押出部材及び吸収体のそれぞれを収容部材に挿入して、タンポンを組み立てる。なお、タンポンを適切に組み立てるためには、各構成品の向きを所定の方向に揃えて、搬送コンベアに供給する必要がある。
ところで、上述した収容部材の中には、タンポンの操作性等を考慮して、一端部に小径部が設けられ他端部に前記小径部よりも外径の大きい大径部が設けられたものがある。このような構成の収容部材では、所定の向きに揃え難いため、収容部材を正確かつ迅速に搬送コンベア等に供給することが困難である。
本発明は係る課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、目的とするところは、タンポンの製造時に、収容部材を正確かつ迅速に供給することにある。
ところで、タンポンの生産速度を向上させる上で、上記収納筒にタンポン本体及び押出部材をスムーズに挿入することが求められている。しかし、収納筒に備えられた複数の花弁状部分が、収納筒同士の衝突等を原因として該収納筒の径方向において内側に倒れている場合がある。複数の花弁状部分が収納筒の径方向において内側に倒れたままでは、タンポン本体及び押出部材を挿入する際の挿入口となる前記開口が狭くなっているため、該タンポン本体及び押出部材を収納筒に挿入することが困難になる。
本発明は、上記の課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、タンポン本体及び押出部材をスムーズに収納筒に挿入することである。
ところで、上記の構成では、受け取り部に既に収納筒が有る状態で該受け取り部が更に収納筒を受け取るようになると、収納筒が適切に供給されなくなる可能性がある。具体的に説明すると、受け取り部に既に収納筒が有る状態で該受け取り部が更に収納筒を受け取ると該収納筒が第二搬送路上に収まり切れなくなる。
具体的に説明すると、受け取り部に既に収納筒が有る状態で該受け取り部が更に収納筒を受け取ろうとすると、受け取り部の手前(すなわち、第一搬送路の終端部)において複数の収納筒が積み重なっていく。このとき、収納筒は該収納筒の長手方向に沿う方向に積み重なっていく。上記の如く積み重なった収納筒のうち、花弁状部分の各々が外側に倒れた収納筒には、他の収納筒(具体的には、他の収納筒の長手方向他端部)が嵌まり込んでしまうことがある(例えば、図45参照)。つまり、受け取り部の手前で複数の収納筒が積み重なっていくと、収納筒同士が連結してしまうことがある。そして、収納筒同士が連結した状況の下では、該収納筒を適切に供給するのが困難になってしまう。
そこで、本発明は、上記の課題に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、収納筒を適切に供給することである。
上記目的を達成するための主たる発明は、
液体を吸収する吸収体と、前記吸収体を収容する筒状の収容部材と、前記収容部材内を移動して前記吸収体を前記収容部材の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収容部材の一端部に小径部が設けられ他端部に前記小径部よりも外径の大きい大径部が設けられているタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材の向きを揃える揃え機構と、
前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収容部材に、前記押出部材を挿入する第1挿入機構と、
前記押出部材が挿入された前記収容部材に、前記吸収体を挿入する第2挿入機構を備え、
前記揃え機構は、
前記収容部材を投入する開口と、
前記開口の長手方向における一端側に位置し、前記開口の内側に向かって突出した対向する一対の第1凸部と、
前記開口の長手方向における他端側に位置し、前記開口の内側に向かって突出した対向する一対の第2凸部とを備え、
前記一対の第1凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記一対の第2凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さいことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置である。
上記課題を解決するために、主たる本発明は、
タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納し、先端に形成された開口と該開口を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分とを備える収納筒と、該収納筒内において移動可能であり、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを有するタンポンの製造方法であって、
前記収納筒に対して、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々を該収納筒の径方向において外側に曲げて前記開口を広げる広げ処理を行う工程と、
前記広げ処理を行った後に前記押出部材を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入する工程と、
前記広げ処理を行った後に前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒に挿入する工程と、を有することを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法である。
上記課題を解決するために、主たる本発明は、
タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納する収納筒と、該収納筒内を移動して前記タンポン本体を該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収納筒の長手方向一端部に複数の花弁状部分を備えたタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収納筒を供給する供給機構と、
該供給機構により供給された前記収納筒に前記タンポン本体及び前記押出部材を挿入する挿入機構とを備え、
前記供給機構は、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向に沿う第一搬送方向に搬送する第一搬送路と、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向と交差する第二搬送方向に搬送する第二搬送路とを備え、
前記第二搬送路は、
前記第一搬送路上を移動してきた前記収納筒を該第一搬送路から受け取る受け取り部と、
前記第一搬送方向において前記第一搬送路から前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が渡される側とは反対側の端部に形成された側壁と、
前記側壁に形成され、前記収納筒を前記第二搬送路の外に出すための排出口とを備え、
前記側壁は、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておき、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が有るときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置である。
本発明によれば、タンポンの製造時に、収容部材を正確かつ迅速に供給することが可能となる。
本発明によれば、タンポン本体及び押出部材をスムーズに収納筒に挿入することが可能になる。
本発明によれば、収納筒を適切に供給することが可能になる。
液体を吸収する吸収体と、前記吸収体を収容する筒状の収容部材と、前記収容部材内を移動して前記吸収体を前記収容部材の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収容部材の一端部に小径部が設けられ他端部に前記小径部よりも外径の大きい大径部が設けられているタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材の向きを揃える揃え機構と、
前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収容部材に、前記押出部材を挿入する第1挿入機構と、
前記押出部材が挿入された前記収容部材に、前記吸収体を挿入する第2挿入機構を備え、
前記揃え機構は、
前記収容部材を投入する開口と、
前記開口の長手方向における一端側に位置し、前記開口の内側に向かって突出した対向する一対の第1凸部と、
前記開口の長手方向における他端側に位置し、前記開口の内側に向かって突出した対向する一対の第2凸部とを備え、
前記一対の第1凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記一対の第2凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さいことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置が提供される。
このようなタンポンの製造装置によれば、大径部と、小径部と、第1凸部の間隔と、第2凸部の間隔について、上記の関係が成り立つことによって、小径部が大径部よりも先に開口を通過しやすくなる。この結果、収容部材の向きが自動的に揃えられるので、収容部材を正確かつ迅速に供給することが可能となる。
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの一方は、対となる凸部間を前記小径部が通過する位置に設けられており、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの他方は、対となる凸部間を前記大径部が通過できない位置に設けられていることが望ましい。
かかる場合には、大径部が小径部よりも先に開口を通過することを効果的に防止できるので、収容部材の向きを適切に揃えやすくなる。
前記大径部は、先端に複数の花弁状部分を有し、
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの前記他方は、前記収容部材の長手方向において前記花弁状部分よりも中央側の部分に当接する位置に設けられていることが望ましい。
かかる場合には、花弁状部分が凸部に当接しないので、例えば花弁状部分が変形等して凸部の間を通過する(すなわち、大径部が凸部の間を通過する)ことを防止できる。
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの前記他方は、前記収容部材の長手方向において前記収容部材の中央よりも前記花弁状部分側の部分に当接する位置に設けられていることが望ましい。
かかる場合には、収容部材が開口に投入された際に前記他方の凸部に当接する前記収容部材の部分(収容部材は、この部分を中心として回動して、開口を通過する)が、大径部の先端側に位置するので、その後に、反対側の小径部の先端側から開口を通過し易くなり、この結果、小径部が大径部よりも先に開口を確実に通過しやすくなる。
前記収容部材は、前記小径部よりも端側に環状突起を有し、
前記環状突起の外径は、前記一対の第1凸部の間隔よりも大きく、前記一対の第2凸部の間隔よりも大きく、
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの前記一方は、前記環状突起に当接しない位置に設けられていることが望ましい。
かかる場合には、環状突起が設けられてあっても、凸部の位置が環状突起に当接しない位置に設けることによって、小径部が凸部の間を通過する際に環状突起が障害とならないので、小径部が大径部よりも先に排出されやすい。
前記揃え機構は、
前記第1凸部に対向する位置に設けられ、前記第1凸部に向かって空気を噴射する第1噴射部と、
前記第2凸部に対向する位置に設けられ、前記第2凸部に向かって空気を噴射する第2噴射部とを備えていることが望ましい。
かかる場合には、噴射部が噴射した空気の流れによって、収容部材が開口を通過する時間が短縮されるので、より迅速に収容部材を供給できる。
前記収容部材を搬送して前記開口に投入する搬送路を備え、
前記搬送路は、投入後に前記大径部が前記一対の第1凸部又は前記一対の第2凸部に当接する姿勢にて前記収容部材を前記開口に投入することが望ましい。
かかる場合には、開口に投入される際に収容部材が凸部に当接することによって、仮に大径部が小径部よりも先に開口に投入されても、小径部が大径部よりも先に排出されるので、収容部材の向きを確実に揃えられる。
前記開口は、矩形状に形成されており、
前記開口の前記長手方向の一端側の縁と、前記第1凸部との前記長手方向における距離が、前記開口の前記長手方向の他端側の縁と、前記第2凸部との前記長手方向における距離と等しいことが望ましい。
前記収容部材の開口への投入の態様として、前記大径部が前記第1凸部に当接する場合と、前記大径部が前記第2凸部に当接する場合とが考えられる。これに対して、上記のタンポンの製造装置によれば、長手方向において第1凸部と第2凸部を開口の縁から等しい距離になるように設けることによって、上記の2つの場合とも収容部材の向きを適切に揃えられる。
揃え機構により、前記収容部材の向きを揃える工程と、
挿入機構により、前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収容部材に、前記吸収体と前記押出部材を挿入する工程とを有し、
前記揃え機構は、
前記収容部材を投入する開口と、
前記開口の内側に向かって突出した一対の第1凸部と、
前記開口の内側に向かって突出した一対の第2凸部とを備え、
前記一対の第1凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記一対の第2凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記揃え機構は、投入された前記収容部材の小径部を、前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの一方の間を通過させ、投入された前記収容部材の大径部を、前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの他方の間を通過させないことにより、前記収容部材の前記小径部を前記大径部よりも先に排出することを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法が提供される。
このようなタンポンの製造方法によれば、小径部が大径部よりも先に開口から排出されることにより、収容部材の向きが自動的に揃えられるので、収容部材を正確かつ迅速に搬送することが可能となる。
アプリケーター付きタンポン(以下、タンポン1001と呼ぶ)の構成について、図1Aと図1Bを用いて説明する。図1Aは、内筒1020を収縮させた状態のタンポン1001の部分断面図である。図1Bは、内筒1020を伸張させた状態のタンポン1001の部分断面図である。なお、図1A等に示すタンポン1001の長手方向のうち、膣腔内に挿入される側を先端側と呼び、反対側を後端側と呼ぶこととする。
図2Aは、タンポン1001の製造フローを示す図である。図2Bは、組立工程の詳細を示す図である。図3A~図3Dは、タンポン1001を組み立てる様子を示す変遷図である。以下においては、タンポン1001の製造方法について、工程毎(ステップS1010、ステップS1020、ステップS1030、ステップS1040、及びステップS1050)に説明する。
まず、綿帯の両面を不織布で覆った後に、綿帯を裁断する。次に、裁断された綿帯に、縫糸によってコードを縫い付ける。そして、コードが縫い付けられた綿帯を、略弾丸状の綿体となるようにプレス加工した後に、加熱成形する。これにより、吸収体1005とコード1008を有するタンポン本体1004が製造される。
射出成型機によって、外筒1011と内筒1020(第1内筒1021と第2内筒1025)を、それぞれ射出成形する。例えば、熱可塑性樹脂を用いて、外筒1011を射出成形する。なお、製造された時点の外筒1011は、複数の花弁状部分1015の各々が開いた状態(先端開口1014が空いた状態)にある(図3A参照)。また、第2内筒1025の後端部には、フレアー状部分1028が成形されていない(図3B参照)。
製造されたタンポン本体1004と、外筒1011と、内筒1020(第1内筒1021と第2内筒1025)は、タンポン1001の製造装置の一例である組立装置1040(詳細は後述)によって組み立てられる。
まず、組立装置1040において、外筒1011が搬送コンベアに供給される(ステップS1031)。供給中の外筒1011は、向きを揃えられる(ステップS1032)。そして、向きが揃えられた外筒1011に、図3Aに示すように第1内筒1021を挿入させる(ステップS1033)。なお、第1内筒1021は、外筒1011の先端開口1014から挿入される。次に、図3Bに示すように、内筒1021が挿入された外筒1011に、第2内筒1025を挿入させる(ステップS1034)。これにより、アプリケーター1010が組み立てられたことになる。次に、図3Cに示すように、外筒1011に、タンポン本体1004を挿入させる(ステップ1035)。この際、コード1008を、先に外筒1011に挿入させる。これにより、吸収体1005が大径部1013に収容されることとなる。
ここで、タンポン1001を組み立てる組立装置1040の構成について、説明する。図4は、タンポン1001の組立装置1040を示した模式図である。
本加工工程においては、外筒1011の開いた状態の花弁状部分1015を、外筒1011の径方向において内側に弧状に屈曲させる屈曲加工が、行われる。なお、第2内筒1025の後端部に、フレアー状部分1028を成形する加工は、組立工程(ステップS1030)の際に行われる。これらの加工によって、図3Dに示すタンポン1001が、成形されることとなる。
加工処理が終了したタンポン1001を、筒状に加工された包装紙に挿入させて、タンポン1001を包装する。その後、包装された複数のタンポン1001が、箱詰めされる。これにより、タンポン1001の製造が終了し、後に出荷される。
図5は、向き揃え機構1060とその周辺部を示す斜視図である。図6は、向き揃え板1061の上面図である。図7Aと図7Bは、外筒1011が開口1062に投入される際の、外筒1011と向き揃え板1061との位置関係を示す図である。
向き揃え板1061は、落下シューター1045の入口に設けられた矩形状の平板である。集積部1044において横並び状に集積された外筒1011が、向き揃え板1061に投入されることにより、外筒1011の向きが揃えられる。
第1噴射部1067は、図5に示すように、向き揃え板1061の上方、かつ第1凸部1063に対向する位置に設けられている。また、第1噴射部1067は、空気を噴射するノズル1067aを有し、第1凸部1063に向かって空気を噴射する。別言すれば、第1噴射部1067は、開口1062に投入される外筒1011(図7Aの場合には、大径部1013)に向かって、空気を噴射することとなる。
前述したように、外筒1011の開口1062への投入は、図7Aと図7Bに示す2態様である。そして、図7Aに示すように投入された外筒1011と、図7Bに示すように投入された外筒1011の向きを揃える仕組みは同様であるので、以下においては、図7Aに示すように投入された外筒1011の向きを揃える仕組みについて、説明する。
図8Aには、集積部1044に横並びで集積された外筒1011が向き揃え板1061の開口1062に投入される様子が、外筒1011が開口1062に投入される直前の状態について示されている。外筒1011は、投入後に大径部1013が一対の第1凸部1063に当接する姿勢にて、開口1062に投入される。より具体的には、外筒1011と開口1062が平行な状態となるように、外筒1011が投入される。このため、外筒1011の小径部1012と大径部1013が、ほぼ同時に開口1062に投入されるので、その後の向き揃えが適切に行われやすい。
上述したように、向き揃え機構1060は、図5に示すように、外筒1011を投入する開口1062と、開口1062の内側に向かって突出した一対の第1凸部1063、及び一対の第2凸部1064を備えている。そして、一対の第1凸部1063の間隔と一対の第2凸部1064の間隔は、それぞれ、外筒1011の小径部1012の外径よりも大きく、かる大径部1013の外径よりも小さい。これにより、タンポン1001の製造時に、正確かつ迅速に外筒1011を供給することが可能となる。
上述した実施形態(第1実施形態)とは構成が異なる第2実施形態について説明する。以下においては、主に、第2実施形態に係るタンポン1001の構成と、前記タンポン1001の製造方法及び組立装置1040について説明する。なお、説明を省く構成は、第1実施形態と同様である。
図9Aは、第2実施形態に係るタンポン1001の断面図である。図9Bは、外筒1011の正面図である。第2実施形態に係るタンポン1001は、第1実施形態に係るタンポン1001(図1A)よりも外径が小さくなっており、膣腔内に挿入しやすく設計されている。
上述した構成のタンポン1001も、図2Aと図2Bに示す製造フローに従って、製造される。ただし、内筒1020は一つのみなので、第1実施形態に比べて製造が簡略化される。また、組立装置1040における外筒1011の供給の際に、外筒1011の向きが向き揃え機構1060によって揃えられる。第2実施形態に係る向き揃え機構1060は、第1実施形態(図5)とは構成が異なる。そこで、以下においては、向き揃え機構1060の構成について説明する。
上記の各実施形態には、主として本発明のタンポンの製造装置及び製造方法について説明したが、上記の実施形態は本発明の理解を容易にするためのものであり、本発明を限定するものではない。本発明は、その趣旨を逸脱することなく、変更、改良され得ると共に、本発明にはその等価物が含まれることはもちろんである。また、上述した形状等は本発明の効果を発揮させるための一例に過ぎず、本発明を限定するものではない。
先ず、タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納し、先端に形成された開口と該開口を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分とを備える収納筒と、該収納筒内において移動可能であり、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを有するタンポンの製造方法であって、
前記収納筒に対して、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々を該収納筒の径方向において外側に曲げて前記開口を広げる広げ処理を行う工程と、
前記広げ処理を行った後に前記押出部材を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入する工程と、
前記広げ処理を行った後に前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒に挿入する工程と、を有するタンポンの製造方法が提供される。かかるタンポンの製造方法により、押出部材及びタンポン本体を収納筒にスムーズに挿入することが可能になる。
搬送コンベア上に載置され該搬送コンベアにより搬送方向に搬送される搭載具に、前記収納筒を搭載する工程を有し、
前記広げ処理は、前記収納筒を前記搭載具に搭載した後に該収納筒に対して該広げ処理を行う処理であることとしてもよい。かかる方法であれば、前記広げ処理が効果的に行われる。
前記広げ処理は、先端から後端に向かって太くなったテーパー部を先端部に備える冶具の該テーパー部を、前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入することにより、該冶具を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々に押し当て、当該各々を前記径方向において外側に折り曲げて前記開口を押し広げる処理であることとしてもよい。かかる方法であれば、容易に広げ処理を行うことが可能になる。
前記広げ処理を行う工程では、前記冶具を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々から離間させた直後に当該各々が前記径方向において外側に1度以上45度以下の倒れ角度で倒れるように、前記冶具を当該各々に押し当てることとしてもよい。かかる方法であれば、上記の倒れ角度が過度に大きくなることにより生じる不都合を回避することが可能になる。
前記搭載具に前記収納筒を搭載する工程では、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々が該花弁状部分の先端から該花弁状部分の後端まで露出するように、前記搭載具に前記収納筒を搭載することとしてもよい。かかる方法であれば、前記冶具を複数の花弁状部分の各々に適切に押し当てることが可能になる結果、前記開口を適切に押し広げることが可能になる。
前記広げ処理を行う工程では、前記収納筒に対して該広げ処理を複数回繰り返して行うこととしてもよい。かかる方法であれば、前記開口を確実に広げて該開口から押出部材及びタンポン本体を収納筒に挿入することが可能になる。
前記広げ処理を行う工程は、
前記押出部材を前記収納筒に挿入する前に該収納筒に対して前記広げ処理を複数回繰り返して行う工程と、
前記押出部材を前記収納筒に挿入してから前記タンポン本体を該収納筒に挿入するまでの間に、該収納筒に対して前記広げ処理を再度行う工程とを有することとしてもよい。かかる方法であれば、押出部材及びタンポン本体の各々を収納筒に挿入するにあたり、より確実に前記開口を広げておくことが可能になる。
前記収納筒に対して、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々を該収納筒の径方向において外側に曲げて前記開口を広げる広げ処理を行う広げ処理機構と、
前記広げ処理機構が前記広げ処理を行った後に、前記押出部材を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入する押出部材挿入機構と、
前記広げ処理機構が前記広げ処理を行った後に、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒に挿入するタンポン本体挿入機構と、を有するタンポンの製造装置も実現できる。かかるタンポンの製造装置は、押出部材及びタンポン本体を収納筒にスムーズに挿入することが可能である。
前記広げ処理機構は、前記広げ処理を行うための冶具を有し、
前記冶具は、該冶具の先端部に設けられ先端から後端に向かって太くなったテーパー部と、該冶具の後端部に設けられ前記テーパー部の後端の外縁よりも外側に張り出した張出部とを備え、
前記広げ処理機構は、前記冶具の前記テーパー部を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入することにより、前記張出部の先端に位置し前記外縁よりも外側に張り出した面を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々に押し当て、当該各々を前記径方向において外側に折り曲げて前記開口を押し広げる前記広げ処理を行うこととしてもよい。かかる構成により、容易に広げ処理を行うことが可能になる。
前記広げ処理機構は、前記冶具とは形状が異なる他の冶具を有し、
前記他の冶具は、先端から後端に向かって太くなった他のテーパー部を先端部に備え、
前記冶具が備える前記テーパー部の先端は平坦であり、
前記他の冶具が備える前記他のテーパー部の先端は、前記冶具が備える前記テーパー部の先端よりも尖っており、
前記広げ処理機構は、前記広げ処理を行う前に前記収納筒に対して、
前記他のテーパー部を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入することにより該他のテーパー部の外周面を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々に押し当て、当該各々を前記径方向において外側に折り曲げて前記開口を押し広げる他の広げ処理を行うこととしてもよい。かかる構成の製造装置であれば、他の広げ処理を行うことにより、その後の広げ処理を適切に行うことが可能になる。
本発明のタンポンの製造方法及び製造装置を説明するにあたり、当該製造方法及び製造装置により製造されるタンポン2010の構成について図12~図17を参照しながら説明する。
<<タンポン2010の製造方法の概要>>
次に、本実施形態のタンポン2010の製造方法について図18と、図19A~図19Dを参照しながら概説する。図18は、タンポン2010の製造フローを示す図である。図19A~図19Dは、タンポン2010を製造する様子を示す変遷図である。
次に、上述したメイン製造ステップS2002のうち、タンポン2010を組み立てる工程について、図20を参照しながらより詳しく説明する。図20は、タンポン2010を組み立てる組立装置2100を模式的に示す図である。
タンポン2010を組み立てる工程は、図20に図示された組立装置2100によって実行される。この組立装置2100は、タンポン2010の製造装置の一例である。組立装置2100は、図20に示すように、搬送コンベア2110、外筒供給機構2120、押出部材挿入機構の一例としての内筒挿入機構2130、タンポン本体挿入機構2140、及び、広げ処理機構2150を備えている。以下、組立装置2100を構成する各機器について説明する。
搬送コンベア2110は、搬送方向(図20において矢印にて示す方向)に外筒2040及び該外筒2040に挿入された物品(第一内筒2051、第二内筒2052、及び、タンポン本体2020)を搬送する装置である。搬送コンベア2110上には外筒2040を搭載する搭載台2160が載置されており、当該搭載台2160は搬送コンベア2110により搬送方向に搬送される。これに伴い、搭載台2160に搭載された外筒2040、及び、該外筒2040に挿入された物品は搭載台2160とともに搬送方向に搬送される。
外筒供給機構2120は、外筒2040を搬送コンベア2110に供給する機構である。外筒供給機構2120は、図20に示すように、外筒搬送フィーダ2121と、外筒搬送フィーダ2121が備える搬送経路の終端に接続された供給路2122と、該供給路2122を通過してきた外筒2040を搭載台2160にセットする外筒セット部(不図示)を備えている。
内筒挿入機構2130は、外筒2040に内筒2050を挿入する機構である。なお、本実施形態の内筒挿入機構2130は、広げ処理機構2150が後述する広げ処理を行った後に、搭載台2160に搭載された状態にある外筒2040に先端開口2043から内筒2050を挿入する。また、内筒挿入機構2130は、内筒2050を構成する第一内筒2051を外筒2040に挿入する機構(以下、第一内筒挿入機構2131)、同じく内筒2050を構成する第二内筒2052を外筒2040に挿入する機構(以下、第二内筒挿入機構2132)を、それぞれ個別に備えている。
タンポン本体挿入機構2140は、第一内筒2051及び第二内筒2052が挿入された状態の外筒2040(換言すると、組立てが完了したアプリケータ2030)にタンポン本体2020を挿入する機構である。なお、本実施形態のタンポン本体挿入機構2140は、広げ処理機構2150が後述する広げ処理を行った後に、搭載台2160に搭載された状態にある外筒2040に先端開口2043からタンポン本体2020を挿入する。
広げ処理機構2150は、内筒2050やタンポン本体2020を外筒2040に挿入する前処理としての広げ処理を、該外筒2040に対して行う機構である。広げ処理とは、外筒2040の先端開口2043を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分2044の各々を外筒2040の径方向において外側に曲げて前記先端開口2043を広げる処理である。本実施形態において、広げ処理機構2150は、図20に示すように、第一プッシャーユニット2151、第二プッシャーユニット2152、及び、第三プッシャーユニット2153からなる。
次に、組立装置2100によりタンポン2010を組み立てる手順について図27を参照しながら説明する。図27は、タンポン2010の組み立てフローを示す図である。
本実施形態に係るタンポン2010の製造方法では、外筒2040に対して、該外筒2040の先端開口2043を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分2044の各々を該外筒2040の径方向において外側に曲げて前記先端開口2043を広げる広げ処理を行う。そして、当該広げ処理を行った後に内筒2050(具体的には、第一内筒2051及び第二内筒2052)やタンポン本体2020を前記先端開口2043から外筒2040に挿入する。これにより、内筒2050及びタンポン本体2020をスムーズに外筒2040に挿入することが可能になる。以下、本実施形態に係るタンポン2010の製造方法の有効性について詳しく説明する。
上記の各実施形態には、主として本発明のタンポン2010の製造方法及び製造装置(組立装置2100)について説明したが、上記の実施形態は本発明の理解を容易にするためのものであり、本発明を限定するものではない。本発明は、その趣旨を逸脱することなく、変更、改良され得ると共に、本発明にはその等価物が含まれることはもちろんである。また、上述した設定値、寸法値、及び、形状等は本発明の効果を発揮させるための一例に過ぎず、本発明を限定するものではない。
先ず、タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納する収納筒と、該収納筒内を移動して前記タンポン本体を該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収納筒の長手方向一端部に複数の花弁状部分を備えたタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収納筒を供給する供給機構と、
該供給機構により供給された前記収納筒に前記タンポン本体及び前記押出部材を挿入する挿入機構とを備え、
前記供給機構は、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向に沿う第一搬送方向に搬送する第一搬送路と、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向と交差する第二搬送方向に搬送する第二搬送路とを備え、
前記第二搬送路は、
前記第一搬送路上を移動してきた前記収納筒を該第一搬送路から受け取る受け取り部と、
前記第一搬送方向において前記第一搬送路から前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が渡される側とは反対側の端部に形成された側壁と、
前記側壁に形成され、前記収納筒を前記第二搬送路の外に出すための排出口とを備え、
前記側壁は、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておき、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が有るときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置が提供される。
かかるタンポンの製造装置であれば、受け取り部に収納筒が有るときに該受け取り部が受け取った収納筒を排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことにより、該受け取り部の手前での収納筒の積み重なりが防止される。これにより、収納筒同士が連結してしまうのを防ぎ、該収納筒を適切に供給することが可能になる。
前記供給機構は、
載置台を備え、該載置台に載置された前記収納筒を前記第一搬送路に向けて移動させるパーツフィーダと、
前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出された前記収納筒を前記載置台に搬送する第三搬送路を備えることとしてもよい。かかる構成のタンポンの製造装置であれば、第二搬送路の外に出された収納筒を再び第二搬送路に向けて搬送することが可能になる。
前記第一搬送路及び前記第三搬送路の各々は、前記収納筒が当該各々の上を滑り降りるように傾斜しており、
前記受け取り部は、前記第一搬送路及び前記第三搬送路に挟まれた窪みであり、
前記窪みは、該窪みに前記収納筒が無いときに前記第一搬送路を滑り降りてきた前記収納筒を受け取り、該窪みに前記収納筒が有るときに前記第一搬送路を滑り降りてきた前記収納筒を、該窪みに有る前記収納筒の上に重ねて受け取り、
前記側壁は、前記窪みに有る前記収納筒の上に重ねられた前記収納筒を、前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すこととしてもよい。かかる構成のタンポンの製造装置であれば、収納筒が第一搬送路上を滑り降りる際の勢いを利用して、該収納筒を第二搬送路の外に出すことが可能である。
前記排出口は、前記側壁に形成された切り込みであり、
前記側壁は、前記切り込みの下に、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておく留め部を備え、
前記留め部の高さは、前記収納筒の前記長手方向一端部の外径よりも小さく、
前記側壁のうち、前記第二搬送方向において前記留め部と隣接する部分の高さは、前記収納筒の前記長手方向一端部の外径よりも大きいこととしてもよい。かかる構成のタンポンの製造装置であれば、第二搬送路上に収まり切れない収納筒を該第二搬送路の外に適切に出すとともに、該第二搬送路上を移動する収納筒が該第二搬送路から脱落するのを防止することが可能になる。
前記収納筒の向きを揃える揃え機構を備え、
前記第一搬送路は、前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収納筒を前記第一搬送方向に搬送し、
前記揃え機構は、前記収納筒の前記長手方向一端部が該収納筒の長手方向他端部よりも前記第一搬送方向の上流側に位置した状態で該収納筒が前記第一搬送路上を移動するように、該収納筒の向きを揃えることとしてもよい。収納筒が第一搬送路から第二搬送路に渡される際に該収納筒が側壁に衝突する可能性がある。このとき、花弁状部分が設けられている長手方向一端部が側壁に衝突すると、該花弁状部分が内側に折れ曲がってしまう虞がある。上記の構成であれば、花弁状部分が内側に折れ曲がるのを防ぐことが可能である。
供給機構により、前記収納筒を供給する工程と、
挿入機構により、前記供給機構が供給する前記収納筒に前記タンポン本体及び前記押出部材を挿入する工程とを備え、
前記供給機構は、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向に沿う第一搬送方向に搬送する第一搬送路と、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向と交差する第二搬送方向に搬送する第二搬送路とを備え、
前記第二搬送路は、
前記第一搬送路上を移動してきた前記収納筒を該第一搬送路から受け取る受け取り部と、
前記第一搬送方向において前記第一搬送路から前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が渡される側とは反対側の端部に形成された側壁と、
前記側壁に形成され、前記収納筒を前記第二搬送路の外に出すための排出口とを備え、
前記側壁は、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておき、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が有るときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法も実現可能である。かかるタンポンの製造方法であれば、前述したように、収納筒の長手方向一端部に他の収納筒が嵌まり込むのを抑制し、収納筒を適切に供給することが可能になる。
本発明のタンポンの製造装置及び製造方法を説明するにあたり、当該製造装置及び製造方法により製造されるタンポン3010の構成について図29~図34を参照しながら説明する。
本実施形態のタンポン3010の製造方法について、図35A~図35Dを参照しながら概説する。図35A及び図35Bは、タンポン3010の製造フローを示す図である。図36A~図36Dは、タンポン3010を製造する様子を示す変遷図である。
上述したメイン製造ステップS3002のうち、タンポン3010を組み立てる一連の工程は、図37に図示された組立装置3100によって実行される。図37は、組立装置3100を模式的に示す図である。この組立装置3100は、タンポン3010の製造装置の一例であり、図37に示すように、組立コンベア3110、供給機構3120、及び、挿入機構3130を備えている。
<<供給機構3120の構成について>>
上述の供給機構3120の構成について、図38及び図39を参照しながら説明する。図38は、図37に図示された供給機構3120を拡大して示した図である。図39は、供給機構3120を上方から見た平面図である。
外筒フィーダ3121は、ボウル状の振動台3121aを有するパーツフィーダであり、該振動台3121aを振動させることにより、該振動台3121aに載置された外筒3040を移動させる装置である。ここで、振動台3121aは載置台の一例である。そして、射出成形された外筒3040は、振動台3121aの底部に一旦集積されてから、図39に示すように該底部から螺旋状に移動する。なお、外筒3040は、移動方向(図39中、破線矢印にて示す方向)が該外筒3040の長手方向に沿うように振動台3121a上を移動する。そして、外筒フィーダ3121は、振動台3121a上で複数の外筒3040が前記移動方向に沿って整列するように、当該複数の外筒3040を移動させる。
搬送路3122は、振動台3121a上を移動してきた外筒3040を該振動台3121aから受け取り、該外筒3040を搬送するためのものである。この搬送路3122は、図38に示すように、上方から順に、案内路3200と、落下シューター3210と、第一搬送路3220と、第二搬送路3230と、第三搬送路3240とを有する。
外筒セット部3123は、第二搬送路3230上を滑り降りてきた外筒3040を該第二搬送路3230から受け取り、前記外筒3040を組立コンベア3110上にセットするものである。より詳しく説明すると、外筒セット部3123は、第二搬送路3230から受け取った外筒3040を、組立コンベア3110上に載置された搭載台3160に搭載させる。
次に、揃え機構3170の構成について図41A~図41Cを参照しながら説明する。図41Aは、揃え機構3170の配置位置を示す図である。図41Bは、揃え機構3170の平面図である。図41Cは、外筒3040が揃え機構3170の穴3171を通過する様子を示す図である。
本実施形態では、前述したように、第二搬送路3230上では外筒3040が集積することがある。つまり、第二搬送路3230の始端から終端に亘って外筒3040が収められる結果、該第二搬送路3230に外筒3040が収め切れなくなる場合(つまり、第二搬送路3230上に外筒3040が詰まる場合)がある。そこで、外筒3040が第二搬送路3230の始端から終端に亘って集積しているときに受け取り部3231が新たに受け取った外筒3040については、第二搬送路3230の外に出す(逃がす)こととしている。
本実施形態の組立装置3100では、上記の如く、供給機構3120が外筒3040を供給する際、受け取り部3231に外筒3040が無いときに該受け取り部3231が受け取った外筒3040については、第二搬送路3230の他端部に形成された側壁3233により該受け取り部3231に留められる。反対に、受け取り部3231に外筒3040が有るときに該受け取り部3231が受け取った外筒を、前記側壁3233に形成された排出口3233aから第二搬送路3230の外に出すこととした。これにより、外筒3040を適切に供給することが可能になる。
上記の各実施形態には、主として本発明のタンポン3010の製造方法及び製造装置(組立装置3100)について説明したが、上記の実施形態は本発明の理解を容易にするためのものであり、本発明を限定するものではない。本発明は、その趣旨を逸脱することなく、変更、改良され得ると共に、本発明にはその等価物が含まれることはもちろんである。また、上述した設定値、寸法値、及び、形状等は本発明の効果を発揮させるための一例に過ぎず、本発明を限定するものではない。
Claims (25)
- 液体を吸収する吸収体と、前記吸収体を収容する筒状の収容部材と、前記収容部材内を移動して前記吸収体を前記収容部材の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収容部材の一端部に小径部が設けられ他端部に前記小径部よりも外径の大きい大径部が設けられているタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材の向きを揃える揃え機構と、
前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収容部材に、前記押出部材を挿入する第1挿入機構と、
前記押出部材が挿入された前記収容部材に、前記吸収体を挿入する第2挿入機構を備え、
前記揃え機構は、
前記収容部材を投入する開口と、
前記開口の長手方向における一端側に位置し、前記開口の内側に向かって突出した対向する一対の第1凸部と、
前記開口の長手方向における他端側に位置し、前記開口の内側に向かって突出した対向する一対の第2凸部とを備え、
前記一対の第1凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記一対の第2凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さいことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項1に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの一方は、対となる凸部間を前記小径部が通過する位置に設けられており、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの他方は、対となる凸部間を前記大径部が通過できない位置に設けられていることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項2に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記大径部は、先端に複数の花弁状部分を有し、
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの前記他方は、前記収容部材の長手方向において前記花弁状部分よりも中央側の部分に当接する位置に設けられていることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項3に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの前記他方は、前記収容部材の長手方向において前記収容部材の中央よりも前記花弁状部分側の部分に当接する位置に設けられていることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項2~請求項4のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材は、前記小径部よりも端側に設けられた環状突起を有し、
前記環状突起の外径は、前記一対の第1凸部の間隔よりも大きく、前記一対の第2凸部の間隔よりも大きく、
前記収容部材の長手方向が前記開口の長手方向に沿うように、前記開口に投入された前記収容部材に対して、
前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの前記一方は、前記環状突起に当接しない位置に設けられていることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項1~請求項5のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記揃え機構は、
前記第1凸部に対向する位置に設けられ、前記第1凸部に向かって空気を噴射する第1噴射部と、
前記第2凸部に対向する位置に設けられ、前記第2凸部に向かって空気を噴射する第2噴射部とを備えていることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項1~請求項6のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収容部材を搬送して前記開口に投入する搬送路を備え、
前記搬送路は、投入後に前記大径部が前記一対の第1凸部又は前記一対の第2凸部に当接する姿勢にて前記収容部材を前記開口に投入することを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項1~請求項7のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記開口は、矩形状に形成されており、
前記開口の前記長手方向の一端側の縁と、前記第1凸部との前記長手方向における距離が、前記開口の前記長手方向の他端側の縁と、前記第2凸部との前記長手方向における距離と等しいことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 液体を吸収する吸収体と、前記吸収体を収容する筒状の収容部材と、前記収容部材内を移動して前記吸収体を前記収容部材の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収容部材の一端部に小径部が設けられ他端部に前記小径部よりも外径の大きい大径部が設けられているタンポンの製造方法であって、
揃え機構により、前記収容部材の向きを揃える工程と、
挿入機構により、前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収容部材に、前記吸収体と前記押出部材を挿入する工程とを有し、
前記揃え機構は、
前記収容部材を投入する開口と、
前記開口の内側に向かって突出した一対の第1凸部と、
前記開口の内側に向かって突出した一対の第2凸部とを備え、
前記一対の第1凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記一対の第2凸部の間隔は、前記小径部の外径よりも大きく、前記大径部の外径よりも小さく、
前記揃え機構は、投入された前記収容部材の小径部を、前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの一方の間を通過させ、投入された前記収容部材の大径部を、前記一対の第1凸部及び前記一対の第2凸部のうちの他方の間を通過させないことにより、前記収容部材の前記小径部を前記大径部よりも先に排出することを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納し、先端に形成された開口と該開口を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分とを備える収納筒と、該収納筒内において移動可能であり、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを有するタンポンの製造方法であって、
前記収納筒に対して、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々を該収納筒の径方向において外側に曲げて前記開口を広げる広げ処理を行う工程と、
前記広げ処理を行った後に前記押出部材を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入する工程と、
前記広げ処理を行った後に前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒に挿入する工程と、
を有することを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - 請求項10に記載のタンポンの製造方法において、
搬送コンベア上に載置され該搬送コンベアにより搬送方向に搬送される搭載具に、前記収納筒を搭載する工程を有し、
前記広げ処理は、前記収納筒を前記搭載具に搭載した後に該収納筒に対して行われることを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - 請求項11に記載のタンポンの製造方法において、
前記広げ処理は、先端から後端に向かって太くなったテーパー部を先端部に備える冶具の該テーパー部を、前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入することにより、該冶具を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々に押し当て、当該各々を前記径方向において外側に折り曲げて前記開口を押し広げる処理であることを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - 請求項12に記載のタンポンの製造方法において、
前記広げ処理を行う工程では、前記冶具を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々から離間させた直後に当該各々が前記径方向において外側に1度以上45度以下の倒れ角度で倒れるように、前記冶具を当該各々に押し当てることを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - 請求項12又は請求項13のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造方法において、
前記搭載具に前記収納筒を搭載する工程では、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々が該花弁状部分の先端から該花弁状部分の後端まで露出するように、前記搭載具に前記収納筒を搭載することを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - 請求項10又は請求項14のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造方法において、
前記広げ処理を行う工程では、前記収納筒に対して該広げ処理を複数回繰り返して行うことを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - 請求項10乃至請求項15のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造方法において、
前記広げ処理を行う工程は、
前記押出部材を前記収納筒に挿入する前に該収納筒に対して前記広げ処理を複数回繰り返して行う工程と、
前記押出部材を前記収納筒に挿入してから前記タンポン本体を該収納筒に挿入するまでの間に、該収納筒に対して前記広げ処理を再度行う工程とを有することを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。 - タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納し、先端に形成された開口と該開口を囲んだ複数の花弁状部分とを備える収納筒と、該収納筒内において移動可能であり、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを有するタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収納筒に対して、前記複数の花弁状部分の各々を該収納筒の径方向において外側に曲げて前記開口を広げる広げ処理を行う広げ処理機構と、
前記広げ処理機構が前記広げ処理を行った後に、前記押出部材を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入する押出部材挿入機構と、
前記広げ処理機構が前記広げ処理を行った後に、前記タンポン本体を前記開口から該収納筒に挿入するタンポン本体挿入機構と、
を有することを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項17に記載のタンポンの製造装置において、
前記広げ処理機構は、前記広げ処理を行うための冶具を有し、
前記冶具は、該冶具の先端部に設けられ先端から後端に向かって太くなったテーパー部と、該冶具の後端部に設けられ前記テーパー部の後端の外縁よりも外側に張り出した張出部とを備え、
前記広げ処理機構は、前記冶具の前記テーパー部を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入することにより、前記張出部の先端に位置し前記外縁よりも外側に張り出した面を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々に押し当て、当該各々を前記径方向において外側に折り曲げて前記開口を押し広げる前記広げ処理を行うことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項18に記載のタンポンの製造装置において、
前記広げ処理機構は、前記冶具とは形状が異なる他の冶具を有し、
前記他の冶具は、先端から後端に向かって太くなった他のテーパー部を先端部に備え、
前記冶具が備える前記テーパー部の先端は平坦であり、
前記他の冶具が備える前記他のテーパー部の先端は、前記冶具が備える前記テーパー部の先端よりも尖っており、
前記広げ処理機構は、前記広げ処理を行う前に前記収納筒に対して、
前記他のテーパー部を前記開口から前記収納筒に挿入することにより該他のテーパー部の外周面を前記複数の花弁状部分の各々に押し当て、当該各々を前記径方向において外側に折り曲げて前記開口を押し広げる他の広げ処理を行うことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納する収納筒と、該収納筒内を移動して前記タンポン本体を該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収納筒の長手方向一端部に複数の花弁状部分を備えるタンポンの製造装置であって、
前記収納筒を供給する供給機構と、
該供給機構により供給された前記収納筒に前記タンポン本体及び前記押出部材を挿入する挿入機構とを備え、
前記供給機構は、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向に沿う第一搬送方向に搬送する第一搬送路と、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向と交差する第二搬送方向に搬送する第二搬送路とを備え、
前記第二搬送路は、
前記第一搬送路上を移動してきた前記収納筒を該第一搬送路から受け取る受け取り部と、
前記第一搬送方向において前記第一搬送路から前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が渡される側とは反対側の端部に形成された側壁と、
前記側壁に形成され、前記収納筒を前記第二搬送路の外に出すための排出口とを備え、
前記側壁は、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておき、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が有るときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項20に記載のタンポンの製造装置において、
前記供給機構は、
載置台を備え、該載置台に載置された前記収納筒を前記第一搬送路に向けて移動させるパーツフィーダと、
前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出された前記収納筒を前記載置台に搬送する第三搬送路を備えることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項21に記載のタンポンの製造装置において、
前記第一搬送路及び前記第三搬送路の各々は、前記収納筒が当該各々の上を滑り降りるように傾斜しており、
前記受け取り部は、前記第一搬送路及び前記第三搬送路に挟まれた窪みであり、
前記窪みは、該窪みに前記収納筒が無いときに前記第一搬送路を滑り降りてきた前記収納筒を受け取り、該窪みに前記収納筒が有るときに前記第一搬送路を滑り降りてきた前記収納筒を、該窪みに有る前記収納筒の上に重ねて受け取り、
前記側壁は、前記窪みに有る前記収納筒の上に重ねられた前記収納筒を、前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項20乃至請求項22のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造装置において、
前記排出口は、前記側壁に形成された切り込みであり、
前記側壁は、前記切り込みの下に、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておく留め部を備え、
前記留め部の高さは、前記収納筒の前記長手方向一端部の外径よりも小さく、
前記側壁のうち、前記第二搬送方向において前記留め部と隣接する部分の高さは、前記収納筒の前記長手方向一端部の外径よりも大きいことを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - 請求項20乃至請求項23のいずれか1項に記載のタンポンの製造装置において、
前記収納筒の向きを揃える揃え機構を備え、
前記第一搬送路は、前記揃え機構によって向きが揃えられた前記収納筒を前記第一搬送方向に搬送し、
前記揃え機構は、前記収納筒の前記長手方向一端部が該収納筒の長手方向他端部よりも前記第一搬送方向の上流側に位置した状態で該収納筒が前記第一搬送路上を移動するように、該収納筒の向きを揃えることを特徴とするタンポンの製造装置。 - タンポン本体と、該タンポン本体を収納する収納筒と、該収納筒内を移動して前記タンポン本体を該収納筒の外に押し出す押出部材とを備え、前記収納筒の長手方向一端部に複数の花弁状部分を備えるタンポンの製造方法であって、
供給機構により、前記収納筒を供給する工程と、
挿入機構により、前記供給機構が供給する前記収納筒に前記タンポン本体及び前記押出部材を挿入する工程とを備え、
前記供給機構は、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向に沿う第一搬送方向に搬送する第一搬送路と、
前記収納筒を該収納筒の長手方向と交差する第二搬送方向に搬送する第二搬送路とを備え、
前記第二搬送路は、
前記第一搬送路上を移動してきた前記収納筒を該第一搬送路から受け取る受け取り部と、
前記第一搬送方向において前記第一搬送路から前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が渡される側とは反対側の端部に形成された側壁と、
前記側壁に形成され、前記収納筒を前記第二搬送路の外に出すための排出口とを備え、
前記側壁は、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が無いときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を該受け取り部に留めておき、前記受け取り部に前記収納筒が有るときに該受け取り部が受け取った前記収納筒を前記排出口から前記第二搬送路の外に出すことを特徴とするタンポンの製造方法。
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AU2009277654A AU2009277654A1 (en) | 2008-07-31 | 2009-07-17 | Apparatus and method for manufacturing a tampon |
EP09802848.3A EP2308434B1 (en) | 2008-07-31 | 2009-07-17 | Device for producing tampons and method for producing tampons |
EA201001893A EA201001893A1 (ru) | 2008-07-31 | 2009-07-17 | Аппарат и способ получения тампонов |
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JP2008222213A JP5386130B2 (ja) | 2008-08-29 | 2008-08-29 | タンポンの製造方法、及び、タンポンの製造装置 |
JP2008-222213 | 2008-08-29 | ||
JP2008251447A JP5486789B2 (ja) | 2008-09-29 | 2008-09-29 | タンポンの製造装置、及び、タンポンの製造方法 |
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EP (1) | EP2308434B1 (ja) |
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CN (3) | CN102159167B (ja) |
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Cited By (2)
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JP2021526492A (ja) * | 2018-06-05 | 2021-10-07 | ルークグリ プロジェクツ アクチェンゲゼルシャフト | タンポンアプリケータを搬送する搬送装置および方法 |
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CN102826369B (zh) * | 2012-09-17 | 2014-05-07 | 四川省绵阳西南自动化研究所 | 一种改变物料姿态的传输装置 |
US10111786B2 (en) | 2015-04-10 | 2018-10-30 | First Quality Hygienic, Inc. | Tampon applicator including beveled portion |
CN104986543A (zh) * | 2015-06-24 | 2015-10-21 | 中山市兴全自动化设备科技有限公司 | 一种用于玩具车车轮送料的自动选向排序振动盘 |
CN106743398B (zh) * | 2017-03-01 | 2019-08-06 | 苏州斯米图智能科技有限公司 | 纱管限位机构 |
JP6564426B2 (ja) * | 2017-07-07 | 2019-08-21 | ファナック株式会社 | 部品供給装置及び機械学習装置 |
CN107669407A (zh) * | 2017-10-12 | 2018-02-09 | 青岛创想机器人制造有限公司 | 卫生棉组装系统 |
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CH715307A2 (de) * | 2018-09-10 | 2020-03-13 | Ruggli Projects Ag | Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Bestücken von Tampon-Applikatoren mit Tampons. |
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CN110963266B (zh) * | 2019-12-31 | 2022-05-06 | 宁波帅特龙集团有限公司 | 一种销轴以及销轴换向装置 |
CN115009814B (zh) * | 2022-05-27 | 2023-07-14 | 中元汇吉生物技术股份有限公司 | 适用多种管径试管的无序上料装置和流水线样本传送系统 |
CN117485864B (zh) * | 2023-11-07 | 2024-04-05 | 新沂利业织造有限公司 | 一种防止相对位移的筒子纱传输装置 |
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CN102159167A (zh) | 2011-08-17 |
EP2308434A4 (en) | 2013-05-15 |
AU2009277654A1 (en) | 2010-02-04 |
CN103393502B (zh) | 2015-07-29 |
US20110179612A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 |
CN103393502A (zh) | 2013-11-20 |
KR20110036614A (ko) | 2011-04-07 |
EP2308434A1 (en) | 2011-04-13 |
EA201001893A1 (ru) | 2011-10-31 |
US9095475B2 (en) | 2015-08-04 |
CN102159167B (zh) | 2014-11-12 |
EP2308434B1 (en) | 2015-09-23 |
CN103315854A (zh) | 2013-09-25 |
CN103315854B (zh) | 2015-02-11 |
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