Barrel for a tampon application assembly and methods of forming
View Patent ↗A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly including molding a barrel then forming a rearward taper region in an area of the barrel is provided. The method includes molding a first portion of the barrel in a first mold part and a second portion of the barrel in a second mold part, the first and second mold parts meeting at a maximum outer dimension of the first portion, ejecting the barrel from the first and second mold parts, and forming a flared region in an area of the second portion.
1. A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly comprising:
molding a first portion of the barrel in a first mold part and a second portion of the barrel in a second mold part, said first and second mold parts meeting at a maximum outer dimension of said first portion;
ejecting the barrel from said first and second mold parts; and
forming a flared region in an area of said second portion after said barrel is ejected from said first and second mold parts.
2. The method as in claim 1 , wherein forming said flared region comprises inserting a first mandrel into said area, said first mandrel having a temperature sufficient to soften said area.
3. The method as in claim 2 , further comprising inserting a second mandrel into said area, said second mandrel having a shape corresponding to a desired shape of said flared region.
4. The method as in claim 3 , further comprising removing said first mandrel from said area prior to inserting said second mandrel.
5. The method as in claim 3 , wherein said first mandrel has a shape corresponding to said desired shape of said flared region.
6. The method as in claim 3 , wherein said area receives a temperature from said second mandrel sufficient to set said area.
7. A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly comprising:
placing a first mold cavity and a second mold cavity in fluid communication with one another, said first and second mold cavities meeting at a maximum outer dimension of said first mold cavity;
injecting a material into said first and second mold cavities to form the barrel;
ejecting the barrel from said first and second mold cavities; and
forming a flared region in a portion of the barrel ejected from said second mold cavity.
8. The method as in claim 7 , wherein forming said flared region comprises heating a first mandrel to an elevated temperature, and inserting said first mandrel in said portion.
9. The method as in claim 8 , wherein said elevated temperature is about 210 degrees F. to about 230 degrees F.
10. The method as in claim 8 , wherein said elevated temperature is about 220 degrees F.
11. The method as in claim 8 , further comprising contacting said first mandrel with said portion for about 1 second to about 3 seconds.
12. The method as in claim 11 , wherein said first mandrel is contacted with said portion for about 2 seconds.
13. The method as in claim 8 , wherein said first mandrel has a shape corresponding to a desired shape of said flared region.
14. The method as in claim 8 , further comprising removing said first mandrel from said portion, and inserting a second mandrel in said portion, wherein said second mandrel has a shape corresponding to a desired shape of said flared region.
15. The method as in claim 14 , wherein removing said first mandrel and inserting said second mandrel has a dwell time of about 0.5 seconds to about 1.5 seconds.
16. The method as in claim 15 , wherein said dwell time is about 1 second.
17. The method as in claim 14 , wherein said second mandrel has a reduced temperature.
18. The method as in claim 17 , wherein said reduced temperature is about 65 degrees F. to about 75 degrees F.
19. The method as in claim 17 , wherein said reduced temperature is about 70 degrees F.
20. The method as in claim 14 , further comprising contacting said second mandrel with said portion for about 1 second to about 3 seconds.