GB2291374A

GB2291374A - Mould for the manufacture of tampons

Info

Publication number: GB2291374A
Application number: GB9512772A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Der Lehr Alfred Von
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-07-16
Filing date: 1995-06-22
Publication date: 1996-01-24
Also published as: GB9512772D0

Abstract

A device for the manufacture of tampons, in particular anal tampons, is characterized by a mold (1) which comprises at least one, substantially cylindrical and possibly necked mold cavity (5) with a rounded lower end (6) and a cover (7) to be applied with positive fit. … <IMAGE> …

Description

2291374 Device for the Manufacture of Tampons, in Particular Anal Tampons

for Natural and Artificial Intestinal Orifices and Other Body Cavities The invention relates to a device for the manufacture of tampons, in particular anal tampons.

Tampons of the generic type for sanitary and medical purposes are conventionally made from cotton wool or cellucotton or from mixtures of these fibers by lapping or batching.

It is also known to produce tampons from open-cell polyurethane flexible foam or from polyvinyl alcohol acetal foam.

German patent 31 22 954 specifies a method for the manufacture of tampons from open-cell polyvinyl alcohol acetal foam, according to which the foam is soaked in water, tampon preforms then being punched which are dried at increased temperatures and pressed after cooling to form the finished tampon. By alternative, it is also known to form tampons by cutting from a rod-type raw material and by subsequent pressing of these preforms.

With these prior art manufacturing processes, the finishing will never go

C) Zn without surface compaction leading to reduced absorptivity. Moreover, neckings are very hard to realize. In the case of anal tampons, the great number of manufacturing operations is still added by the fact that a withdrawal cord must be applied manually in tampons embodied to have a withdrawal cord and that a central bottom hole must be provided separately for embodiments having a magnetic holding system.

Based on this general concept, it is the object of the invention to embody a device for the manufacture of tampons that will permit efficient manufacturing and create a suitable final product in a single operation, a 0 0 homoaeneous foam structure beinc, realizable.

0 tn 2 According to the invention, this object is attained by a mold comprising at least one, substantially cylindrical and possibly necked mold cavity with a rounded lower end and a cover to be applied with positive fit.

Starting materials for the respective foam, i.e. for instance polyvinyl alcohol and formaldehyde accompanied by the use of an acid catalyst, are metered into such a mold, and then the cover is closed. The foam expands and hardens while filling the mold cavity, the rounded end exhibiting the same foam structure as the rest of the tampon so that there is no need for a separate pressing operation after the cutting or punching of conventional manufacturing processes.

In keeping with an object of the invention, provision is made for the cover to have at least two throughholes extending in the axial direction. These throughholes may take the double function of allowing the exit of air during the foaming and thus the expansion of the foam in the mold cavity on the one hand, and the insertion of a withdrawal cord prior to the foaming on the other hand, so that the withdrawal cord combines with the tampon base body when the foam hardens, which also serves to save a further separate operation.

In keeping with a further object of the invention, it can be provided that the cover comprises a pin extending axially downward. This pin can be fixed replaceably. As a result, it is possible to provide a central bottom hole for the reception of a magnetic pin already during the molding operation.

Favorably, the mold comprises a base plate with recesses into to which to insert a plurality of partial molds, on which a common cover is placeable. This helps rationalize the manufacture in that a plurality of mold recesses with foam located therein is prepared simultaneously for the hardening process.

C a 1 3 Details of the inyntion will become apparent from the ensuing explanation in conjunction with the drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a partial mold, and Fig. 2 is a plan view of a mold comprising four partial molds.

A mold 1 illustrated in the drawing comprises four partial molds 2. A base plate 3 is provided with four recesses 4, into which to place the partial molds 2. Each partial mold 2 has a substantially cylindrical mold cavity 5 with a rounded lower end 6. A cover 7 can be applied with positive fit on the partial mold 2 and comprises a collar 8, which projects downward and overlaps the upper edge 9 of the mold cavity 5.

0 The cover 7 is provided with throughholes 10 which permit air to exit during the molding process and which also allow the insertion of a withdrawal cord which will combine with the tampon body when the foam hardens.

Further, a pin 11 extending axially downward may be disposed in the middle of the cover 7, the pin 11 forming a bottom hole in the finished tampon for a magnet to be inserted. The pin or bolt 11 can be fitted positively removably in the cover 7.

For the production of a tampon or a plurality of tampons, the covers 7 are removed from the mold cavities 5 and a metered quantity of reactive agents is inserted in the mold cavity 5, after which the covers 7 are closed; depending on the desired final product, pins 11 and withdrawal cords (not shown in the drawing) passing through the holes 10 can be provided in the covers 7. Then foaming takes place, filling up the mold cavity 5; this is followed by the hardening of the foam. Then the respective cover 7 is removed and the completely finished tampon body is discharged from the mold cavity 5.

4 In the foregoing the invention has been specified, taken in conjunction with an exemplary embodiment of an anal tampon. However, the design according to the invention can be realized with like advantage in the form of a vaginal tampon. The intravaginal insertion has the purpose of supporting the weakened pelvic muscular apparatus. In this case it is also possible, if required, to apply therapeutic agents together with the tampon. The incorporation of agents can be required in particular for the 0 treatment of vaginal fissures, viginitis and vaginal infection, vaginal uterus extirpation, and in the case of allergies.

p -A cl 1. A device for the manufacture of tampons, in particular anal tampons, wherein a mold is provided, which comprises at least one, substantially cylindrical and possibly necked mold cavity with a rounded lower end and a cover to be applied with positive fit.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has at least two throughholes extending in the axial direction.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein a pin extending axially downward is disposed in the cover.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the pin is removably fitted in the cover.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mold comprises a base plate having recesses into which to insert a plurality of partial molds.

6. A device for the manufacture of tampons, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

Claims

1. A device for the manufacture of anal tampons, wherein a mold is provided, which comprises at least one substantially cylindrical and necked mold cavity with a rounded lower end and a cover to be applied with positive fit.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the cover has at least two through holes extending in the axial direction.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein a pin extending axially downward is disposed in the cover.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mold comprises a base plate having recesses into which to insert a plurality of partial molds.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the mold cavities of said partial molds extend substantially parallel to one another and wherein a common cover is adapted to be applied with a positive fit to all of said mold cavities.

7. A device for the manufacture of tampons, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method for the manufacture of anal tampons using a mold comprising at least one substantially cylindrical and necked mold cavity with a rounded lower end and a cover having at least two through holes extending in the axial direction, wherein a withdrawal cord is passed through said holes prior to forming a tampon in the mold.

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