Apparatus for forming a catamenial tampon
A doming tool for manufacturing absorbent tampon includes a plurality of stations made of devices for shaping a tampon pledget tip, and a hollow mandrel engaging with the stations. The stations are supported by at least one mounting plate.
1. A doming tool for absorbent tampon manufacture, said tool comprising a plurality of stations made of devices for shaping a tampon pledget tip, and a hollow mandrel engaging with the stations; said stations being supported by at least one mounting plate, wherein
a) said plurality of stations comprises at least one passive cavity and at least one chuck device:
b) said hollow mandrel is a prismatic tube containing a movable sliding insert, and said hollow mandrel and a movable sliding insert arranged and configured to support a tampon withdrawal end and partially a tampon lateral flank while the tampon tip is being shaped during use of the doming tool;
c) said sliding insert which comprises stop pins arranged and configured to engage with slots in walls of the hollow mandrel can move along the length of said hollow mandrel; and
d) said sliding insert comprises a cup shaped receptacle sized to engage with a tampon withdrawal end during use of the doming tool, and a rim of said cup shaped receptacle is tapered to engage with a portion of a tampon lateral flank during use of the doming tool.
2. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein said sliding insert base has an aperture through which a rod can extend.
3. The doming tool of claim 1 ,
wherein said chuck device comprises a docking ring and a plurality of movable jaws fitted in separate guideways formed therein; and each movable jaw has a shaping profile,
and wherein the said movable jaws are disposed around the longitudinal axis of the chuck device, with an angle of 20° to 40° relative to said longitudinal axis.
4. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein said chuck device is maintained in open position by a compression spring until said chuck device is actuated to a closed position by said hollow mandrel pushing the said rigid body toward the mounting plate.
5. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein said chuck device is equipped with a temperature control means.
6. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of stations comprises at least two chuck devices, wherein each chuck device has a unique set of movable jaws.
7. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of stations comprises at least two, preferably three passive cavities.
8. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein the last station of said doming tool is a return station, equipped with a shaped pusher which returns the tampon back inside the said hollow mandrel.
9. The doming tool of claim 1 , wherein at least one station is equipped with a movable push rod to apply a pressure, along the longitudinal axis of the tampon pledget and toward the mounting plate, on the sliding insert base supporting the tampon pledget inside the said hollow mandrel.