Arching tool for manufacturing an absorbent tampon, method for shaping the insertion tip of an absorbent tampon using an arching tool.

Abstract

Apparatus for forming a catamenial plug. The present invention relates to a bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug that includes a plurality of stations made of devices for forming a plug wad tip and a hollow mandrel that engages the stations. The stations are supported by at least one mounting plate.

Description

1 / 19 “BENDING TOOL FOR MANUFACTURING AN ABSORBENT PACIFIER, METHOD FOR SHAPE THE INSERTION TIP OF AN ABSORBENT PACIFIER USING A BENDING TOOL” Field of Invention

[001] The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene. In particular, it relates to a bending tool for producing such a tampon having a plurality of stations; and to tampons made with the same. Background of the invention

[002] Vaginal tampons have been used for decades. Two types of tampons are available on the market: digital tampons and tampons that require an applicator. Typically, digital tampons are formed by radial compression of a blank with a set of claws, while tampons with an applicator are formed by molding a blank. Both types of tampons have a generally cylindrical shape, and both have advantages and disadvantages.

[003] Digital tampons can be inserted manually without an applicator; they have a smooth, uniform surface; however, the compression column created by the press grip inside the product to generate the necessary rigidity for digital insertion may be uncomfortable for some consumers. Tampons with an applicator may not have this rigidity problem; however, they require the use of an applicator and generate additional waste.

[004] It is also important to consider that a tampon can change position after insertion, depending on the user's activity, for example, during movement, playing sports, or even coughing. This can create discomfort and even leakage if the tampon's new position is not adjusted.

[005] Leak prevention and comfort during use are two important benefits for the consumer. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 13 / 68 2 / 19

[006] Shaped tampons have been proposed to meet these requirements. It is claimed that these existing shaped products correspond more precisely to the user's anatomy and, in this way, provide better protection against leakage, reduce discomfort, and generally remain in place more efficiently within the vagina.

[007] Document EP2349158B1, assigned to Procter & Gamble Company, aims to disclose a support mold having pins that produce shaped plugs. When subjected to pressure by a pressure rod, the tabs of the support mold flex to substantially or partially open one end of the support mold.

[008] Document EP1485055B1, assigned to Procter & Gamble Company, aims to disclose a method for producing a shaped plug. The method includes the following steps: providing a mold; a plug wad; transferring the plug wad into the mold using a transfer member, resulting in a plug mold; self-supporting the shaped plug, wherein the shaped plug has a recess; and removing the shaped plug from the plug mold.

[009] Document EP1267782B1, assigned to Procter & Gamble Company, aims to disclose digital plugs that are capable of expanding radially into a non-circular cross-sectional shape upon exposure to a wet environment, in order to reduce leakage due to drift; the disclosure also refers to unprocessed plug blocks and a process for producing the plugs.

[010] Document EP1759678A1, attributed to Ontex Hygieneartikel Deutschland, aims to disclose a tampon comprising at least three ribs defined by grooves, wherein at least one rib or groove, in cross-section, has a median at least partially divergent from the radius and a manufacturing tamponing process; the disclosure also refers to a press for Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 14 / 68 3 / 19 manufacturing of said plug.

[011] US patent 9155666B2, assigned to Ontex Hygieneartikel Deutschland, discloses a press for manufacturing a tampon comprising at least three press jaws, wherein there is provided a penetrating segment, PSLG, configured to penetrate the absorbent material with a longitudinal groove and penetrating segments, PSSG, configured to penetrate the absorbent material with a plurality of lateral grooves that are arranged in the longitudinal direction.

[012] Document EP2712596B1, attributed to Johnson & Johnson, discloses an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene and a method for producing said tampon having relatively deep penetrating grooves in which adjacent penetrating claws pass through the same tampon press space during manufacture and an apparatus useful in the manufacture of said tampon.

[013] Although the examples above describe presses for producing plugs with different profiles or groove configurations, these plugs have traditional cylindrical shapes.

[014] Furthermore, the examples above do not provide any indication of the bending tool configuration required to obtain a plug with a complex longitudinal or radial shape. Summary of the invention

[015] It has been found that a tampon shaped with a shaped longitudinal profile and an elliptical cross-section over at least part of its length can provide a better fit to the user's anatomy and thus increase user comfort without compromising fluid absorption properties.

[016] In one aspect, the present invention discloses a bending tool for the manufacture of an absorbent plug. Said tool comprises a plurality of stations made of devices for forming a tip of Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 15 / 68 4 / 19 plug bearing and a hollow mandrel that engages with the stations; the stations are supported by at least one mounting plate.

[017] Furthermore, said plurality of stations comprises at least one passive cavity and at least one mandrel-style device. Said hollow mandrel is a prismatic tube containing a movable sliding insertable element, wherein the hollow mandrel and the movable sliding insertable element support the retractable end of the plug and partially the lateral flank of the plug while the tip of the plug is being shaped. Said sliding insertable element may move along the length of said hollow mandrel.

[018] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for forming the insertion tip of an absorbent plug wad comprising the steps of: inserting a compressed plug wad into a hollow mandrel fitted with a sliding insertable element; placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a first passive cavity bending tool to seal the tip of the plug; placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a first mandrel-style device; placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a second mandrel-style device, wherein the movable jaws of the second mandrel-style device are rotated 45° relative to the movable jaws of the first mandrel-style device; placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a second passive cavity bending tool, such cavity being jointless;Place the tip of said plug pad in contact with a bending tool of the third passive cavity, said cavity being jointless and smaller than the cavity of said bending tool of the second passive cavity.

[019] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to shaped plugs obtained by a bending tool according to the present disclosure. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 16 / 68 5 / 19

[020] Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those of common skill in the art by reviewing the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in combination with the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings

[021] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional embodiment of the bending tool according to the present invention.

[022] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the modality revealed in Figure 1 in which the top of Figure 1 corresponds to the left side of Figure 2.

[023] Figure 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the plurality of pressure rods facing the bending tool stations. A representative buffer pad is shown in a representative hollow mandrel in the upper right corner. As shown, the pressure rods are retracted and the sliding insertable element is in a rear position within the hollow mandrel.

[024] Figure 4 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 3. As shown, the pressure rods are moved towards the bending tool stations and the sliding insertable element is pushed into a forward position within the hollow mandrel.

[025] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of a hollow mandrel. As shown, the sliding insertable element is in a forward position within the hollow mandrel.

[026] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, perpendicular to the longitudinal geometric axis, of a hollow mandrel.

[027] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the sliding insertable element of Figures 5 and 6.

[028] Figure 7B is a cross-section of the perspective view of Figure 7A. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 17 / 68 6 / 19

[029] Figure 8 is a cross-section of a perspective view, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of a hollow mandrel of Figures 5 to 7 loaded with a shaped plug in a forward position.

[030] Figure 9 is a cross-section of a perspective view, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of a hollow mandrel of Figures 5 to 7 loaded with a shaped plug in a rear position.

[031] Figure 10 is a cross-section, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of a mandrel-style device for use in the bending tool of the present invention.

[032] Figure 11 is a cross-section of a perspective view of the device in Figure 10.

[033] Figure 12 is a cross-section, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of a mandrel-style device interacting with a hollow mandrel loaded with a shaped plug. As shown, the jaws of the mandrel-style device are in an open position.

[034] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of the mandrel-style device of Figure 12, which interacts with a hollow mandrel loaded with a shaped plug. As shown, the jaws of the mandrel-style device are in a closed position.

[035] Figure 14 is a cross-section, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of the mandrel-style device of Figures 12 and 13 interacting with a hollow mandrel loaded with a shaped plug, as shown, wherein the jaws of the mandrel-style device are in a closed position and in contact with the insertion tip of the shaped plug.

[036] Figure 15 is a cross-section, along the longitudinal geometric axis, of the configuration revealed in Figure 14, rotated 90° around the longitudinal geometric axis. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 18 / 68 7 / 19

[037] Figure 16 is a perspective view of a pair of chuck-style devices, one rotated 45° around its longitudinal geometric axis relative to the other.

[038] Figure 17 is a perspective view of a hollow mandrel and a sliding insertable element according to the present invention in a first configuration.

[039] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the hollow mandrel and the sliding insertable element revealed in Figure 17, rotated 90° around a geometric axis perpendicular to its longitudinal geometric axis. Detailed description of preferred options

[040] As used in the descriptive report and claims, the term “wax pad” and variants thereof refer to a block or compress of absorbent material, such as fibers designed to absorb bodily fluids. A “tampon wad,” or “absorbent tampon wad,” refers to the absorbent material compressed after compressing a raw block of tampon in a press. Said tampon wad has two ends: an insertion end and a retraction end; and a longitudinal geometric axis that passes through said two ends.

[041] The present invention relates to a bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug, wherein said tool comprises a plurality of stations made of devices for forming a plug wad tip, and a hollow mandrel that engages with the stations; said stations being supported by at least one mounting plate, said plurality of stations comprising at least one passive cavity and at least one mandrel-style device. Said hollow mandrel is a prismatic tube containing a sliding insertable element and said hollow mandrel, and a movable sliding insertable element supports the plug retraction end and partially the side flank of the plug. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 19 / 68 8 / 19 while the tip of the plug is being shaped. The sliding insertable element can move along the length of said hollow mandrel.

[042] In a preferred embodiment, the tip of the plug wad interacts with all stations of said bending tool in a sequence.

[043] Preferably, the end of the plug wad that is shaped is the insertion end. The other end of the plug wad is the retraction end.

[044] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate an example of the stations of a bending tool according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the bending tool 10 comprises six stations 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600, including three passive cavities 100, 400 and 500 and two mandrel-style devices 200 and 300. Each station is mounted on a plate, 102, 202, 302, 402, 502 and 602. The mounting plates 102 to 602 can be affixed to a rail 12.

[045] Figures 3 and 4 illustrate an example of pressure rods 104, 204, 304, 404 and 504 mounted on a sliding pressure rod rail 14 which, in turn, is slidingly mounted on a pair of brackets. A representative hollow mandrel 800 having a sliding insertable element 802 and an absorbent plug prepared for a bending process are also represented.

[046] Although the above embodiments employ a plurality of stations mounted on a rail for linear operation, those skilled in the art will recognize that the stations may also be arranged and configured for rotary operation, such as the use of a drum, rotating disc and the like.

[047] As used in the descriptive report and claims, the term “prismatic tube” and variants thereof refer to a straight tube with a constant cross-section.

[048] In one embodiment of the present invention, said movable sliding insertable element 802 is dimensioned so that it can slide freely within Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 20 / 68 9 / 19 and along the length of the hollow mandrel 800, but is prevented from twisting or moving the geometric axis by any significant amount. Preferably, said sliding insertable element 802 has a cross-section slightly smaller than the corresponding internal cross-section of said hollow mandrel 800.

[049] Figures 5, 6 and 7 show a more detailed example of a hollow mandrel 800 and a sliding insertable element 802 according to the invention.

[050] As used in the descriptive report and claims, the term “passive cavity” and its variants relate to a cavity that does not include any technical means to alter its volume or shape. The cavity has a fixed design and cannot be modified during manufacturing. This type of cavity is different from the cavity of chuck-style devices that can change during manufacturing due to movable grippers.

[051] The said mounting plate for the plurality of stations according to the present invention may be the same mounting plate for all stations, or for a group of stations, or a different mounting plate for each station.

[052] Figure 8 illustrates a hollow mandrel 800 containing the sliding insertable element 802 and the absorbent plug 900 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The retraction end 902, the insertion tip 904 (before bending) and the longitudinal geometric axis TT of the plug 900 are indicated.

[053] In a preferred embodiment, the arching tool 10 for manufacturing the absorbent plug according to the present invention may comprise a sliding insertable element 802 which is provided with retaining pins 804 which engage continuously in the slots 806 in the wall of said hollow mandrel 800. This embodiment is desirable for limiting the permissible forward and backward displacement of the sliding insertable element 802 within the hollow mandrel 800.

[054] With reference to Figures 5, 6 and 7; an embodiment of the hollow mandrel 800 and the sliding insertable element 802 is shown. The insertable element Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 21 / 68 The 10 / 19 sliding element 802 is equipped with retaining pins 804 that are connected to holes 808 in the walls of the insertable sliding element. These retaining pins 804 engage with slots 806 in the walls of the hollow mandrel 800.

[055] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a bending tool for making an absorbent plug, wherein said sliding insertable element can form a bulge-shaped receptacle 810 dimensioned to engage the retracting end 902 of the plug wad 900, and the edge 812 of said receptacle 810 can be tapered and can engage a portion of the side flank of the plug wad.

[056] Figures 5, 6 and 7 show an example of a bowl-shaped receptacle 810 and the tapered edge 812 of the sliding insertable element 802. Figures 8 and 9 show the sliding insertable element 802 with an absorbent plug 900 and how the receptacle 810 of the sliding insertable element 802 engages with the retractable end of the plug 902.

[057] As shown in Figure 6, the external shape of said sliding insertable element 802 may also have an elliptical cross-section. In this embodiment, the sliding insertable element 802 is movable in a cavity of the hollow mandrel 800, and said cavity has an elliptical cross-section, which corresponds substantially to that of the sliding insertable element 802.

[058] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the arching tool for manufacturing the absorbent plug according to the present invention may also comprise a sliding insertable element 802, wherein the base 814 of said sliding insertable element 802 may have an opening 816 through which a rod (not shown) may pass.

[059] This method is advantageous for removing the plug pad 900 from the hollow mandrel 800 and the sliding insert element 802 with a pressure device such as a rod, for example. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 22 / 68 11 / 19

[060] A preferred embodiment of the present invention relates to a bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug whereby at least one of said bending stations has a mandrel-style device comprising a rigid body having a plurality of movable jaws fitted in separate guide rails. This mandrel-style device may further comprise that each movable jaw has a shaped cavity. Said movable jaws may also be arranged, preferably symmetrically, around the longitudinal geometric axis of said mandrel-style device, at an angle of 20° to 40° relative to said longitudinal geometric axis.

[061] As used in the descriptive report and claims, the term “longitudinal geometric axis of the mandrel-style device” and its variants relate to the geometric axis of the mandrel-style device that is registered with the longitudinal geometric axis of the plug pad.

[062] In other words, the chuck-style device according to the present invention may be a rigid cylindrical body comprising several movable jaws, each jaw having a shaped cavity. Furthermore, the jaws may be symmetrically arranged around a virtual conical surface having an included angle between 20 and 40 degrees, and said chuck-style device is supported by a mounting plate.

[063] Each gripper can be moved by a ball end coupling that fits into the coupling cavity at one end and connects to a mounting plate. The grippers can open and close as a group when the rigid body is moved forward (in the opposite direction to) and backward (toward) respectively relative to the mounting plate.

[064] With reference to Figures 10 and 11; an example of a chuck-style device is illustrated. The chuck-style device 200 comprises several movable jaws 206 fitted into guide rails in the coupling ring 208 of said device. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 23 / 68 12 / 19 device. The contours 210 of said guide rails are indicated. Each movable gripper 206 has a shaping profile 212 at one end, and the combination of all shaping profiles 212 creates the bending cavity 214. The longitudinal geometric axis XX of the mandrel-style device passes through the center of the bending cavity 214. Each movable gripper 206 is mounted on a ball end coupling 216, connecting the mandrel-style device 200 to its mounting plate 202. The movable grippers 206 are arranged around the longitudinal geometric axis XX of the mandrel-style device and define a virtual cone.

[065] By “virtual cone”, “virtual conical”, and variants thereof, is meant a shape that is conical or frustoconical; for example, the tip of the cone may be truncated (frustoconical), or portions of the sides of the cone may be flattened to create one or more planes.

[066] In another embodiment, the bending tool for manufacturing absorbent plugs according to the present invention may comprise a mandrel-style device that is held in an open position by a compression spring until said mandrel-style device is actuated to a closed position by said hollow mandrel pushing said rigid body towards the mounting plate.

[067] In other words, the movable jaws of the chuck-style device can be actuated by the pressure of the hollow chuck. The sliding insertable element can be in a rear or front position inside the hollow chuck when the hollow chuck comes into contact with the chuck-style device.

[068] In this way, the movable jaws of the mandrel-style device can close on the insertion point of the plug wad; or as an alternative, the insertion point of the plug wad can be pushed towards the closed movable jaws of the mandrel-style device.

[069] The compression spring 218 is illustrated in Figures 10 and 11. The compression spring 218 pushes a wedge 220 which has a virtual conical shape in Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 24 / 68 13 / 19 opposite direction to the mounting plate 202; as a reaction, the movable claws 206 slide in their guide rails in the opposite direction to the longitudinal geometric axis XX of the device and, in this way, open the arching cavity 214.

[070] When a hollow mandrel pushes the coupling ring 208 to move it towards the mounting plate 202, the side springs 222 apply radial pressure, towards the longitudinal geometric axis XX, on the movable jaws 206 and, thus, on the wedge 220. The wedge 220 is forced towards the mounting plate 202, compressing the compression spring 218. As the movable jaws 206 are moved towards the longitudinal geometric axis XX, the arching cavity 214 closes.

[071] In other words, when a hollow mandrel 800 applies pressure to a mandrel-style device 200, 300, the coupling ring 208 and the wedge 220 are displaced towards the mounting plate 202, and the movable jaws 206 are displaced towards the longitudinal geometric axis XX.

[072] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate these changes in configuration. In Figure 12, the hollow mandrel 800 is only touching the coupling ring 208 and is not applying sufficient force to displace the coupling ring 208 or the wedge 220. Thus, the bending cavity 214 is in an open position. In Figure 13, the hollow mandrel 800 is applying sufficient force to displace both the coupling ring 208 and the wedge 220. Thus, the arching cavity 214 is in a closed position before the absorbent plug 900 (pre-arched) is pushed into the arching cavity 214. Figures 14 and 15 (showing a view of Figure 14 rotated 90° about the longitudinal geometric axis XX) illustrate the arched plug 900 when the hollow mandrel 800 is fully engaged with the coupling ring 208 to form the arching cavity 214 in the closed position.

[073] The bending tool for making a plug Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 25 / 68 The absorbent 14 / 19 according to the present invention may also contain a mandrel-style device that is equipped with a temperature control medium. Said temperature control medium may be used to increase or decrease, and control, the temperature of the movable formed cavity.

[074] In a preferred embodiment, the bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug according to the present invention has a plurality of stations which may comprise at least two mandrel-style devices, and each mandrel-style device may have a different set of movable jaws.

[075] Having at least two mandrel-style devices with different cavities may be desirable, as this allows the plug wad insertion tip to be compressed in at least two different ways, one after the other. For example, this embodiment allows a sequential formation of the shaped insertion dome to minimize the potential for artifacts from the junctions between the adjacent formulation profiles 212 in the arching cavity 214, thus creating a more uniform surface on the insertion tip that is more attractive to the consumer.

[076] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, which comprises at least two chuck-style devices, the movable jaws of the second chuck-style device can be rotated around the longitudinal geometric axis of said chuck-style device compared to the movable jaws of the first chuck-style device.

[077] Preferably, the rotation between the movable jaws of the first and second chuck-style devices, according to the longitudinal geometric axis, is 45°; this is illustrated in Figure 16. The two chuck-style devices are shown, in which similar reference numbers are as described above.

[078] In another preferred embodiment, the arching tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug according to the present invention has a Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 26 / 68 15 / 19 plurality of stations which may include at least two, preferably three, passive cavities.

[079] As discussed above, this plurality of passive cavities can be advantageous as it can create a more uniform and aesthetically pleasing surface at the insertion point of the buffer wad.

[080] One of the said passive cavities of the bending tool may seal or otherwise smooth the insertion tip of the plug, before the tip of the plug is placed in contact with the bending cavity of a mandrel-style device.

[081] The passive cavities of the bending tool may be jointless.

[082] A bending tool, according to the present invention, may comprise passive cavities, wherein at least two of said passive cavities are jointless cavities and one of said passive cavities is 10% smaller than the other.

[083] In yet another embodiment of the bending tool for making an absorbent plug according to the present invention, the last station of said bending tool may be a return station, fitted with a shaped pusher that returns the plug back into said hollow mandrel.

[084] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a 600 return station with a 604 shaped pusher.

[085] In a preferred embodiment, the bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug according to the present invention comprises at least one station that can be fitted with a movable pressure rod to apply pressure, along the longitudinal geometric axis of the plug wad and towards the mounting plate, at the base of the sliding insertable element that Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 27 / 68 16 / 19 supports the plug wad inside said hollow mandrel.

[086] Figures 5 and 17 show the base of the insertable sliding element 814 on which pressure is applied by the pressure rod. Figures 3 and 4 show an example in which five stations are fitted with pressure rods 104, 204, 304, 404 and 504, and one end of pressure rod 106 in contact with the base of the insertable sliding element 814.

[087] The said movable pressure rod acts as a counter-pusher for the mandrel-style device, pressing the sliding insertable element 802 and, in this way, the insertion tip 904 of the plug wad 900 towards the arching cavities 214, 314.

[088] When applying said pressure along the longitudinal geometric axis of the plug pad and towards the mounting plate, it is preferable that the plug be fully supported by the sliding insert element and the hollow mandrel against the applied longitudinal and axial forces. This minimizes the likelihood of any deformation of the plug during the forming of the bend.

[089] In other words, the absorbent plug to be arched would be carried in a hollow mandrel with a sliding insertable element, such that the axial position and reactive force are determined by said pressure rod acting on the base of the sliding insertable element or the outer rear surface of the sliding insertable element. In this way, the end of the absorbent plug opposite to that which is arched is protected against damage.

[090] Optionally, the bending tool may have more than one of the stations fitted with a movable pressure rod, and said movable pressure rods have different lengths.

[091] For example, this makes it possible to compensate for the fact that the buffer pad will be shortened slightly by each successive tool station application. In this way, each station can be made to apply sufficient force in order to Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 28 / 68 17 / 19 fully check its intended formatting effect.

[092] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a strapping tool for making an absorbent plug, wherein less than or equal to 30%, particularly 25%, preferably 20%, more preferably 15% of the total length of the plug starting from the plug insertion tip is engaged to at least one of the stations of said strapping tool.

[093] The term “total plug length” means the length along the longitudinal geometric axis of the plug wad.

[094] Alternatively, the present invention relates to a strapping tool, wherein more than 1%, particularly more than 5%, preferably more than 10% of the total length of the plug, from the plug insertion tip, is engaged with at least one of the stations of said strapping tool.

[095] In another embodiment, the bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug according to the present invention may have at least 70%, particularly at least 80%, preferably at least 85% of the total length of the plug from the retraction end of the plug, which is in contact with said sliding insertable element and the hollow mandrel.

[096] In other words, during arching, when pressure is applied to the plug towards the stations, at least 70%, particularly at least 80%, preferably at least 85% of the plug pad surface is supported by said sliding insertable element and a hollow mandrel, for protection against deformation due to the forces that are applied. For example, deformation can damage the compression column of a digital plug and such a damaged digital plug may be unusable by a consumer.

[097] A method for shaping the insertion tip of an absorbent tampon using a bending tool, according to the present invention, Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, page 29 / 68 18 / 19 may comprise the steps of: inserting a plug wad into a hollow mandrel fitted with a sliding insertable element, placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a bending tool of the first passive cavity to seal the tip of the plug, placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a first mandrel-style device, placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a second mandrel-style device, wherein the movable jaws of the second mandrel-style device are rotated 45° relative to the movable jaws of the first mandrel-style device, placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a bending tool of the second passive cavity, wherein the cavity is jointless, and placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a bending tool of the third passive cavity,whereby the cavity is unjointed and smaller than the cavity of said bending tool of the second passive cavity.

[098] Preferably, the movable jaws of the second mandrel-style device are rotated 45° according to the longitudinal geometric axis of the mandrel-style device. Said geometric axis is registered with the longitudinal geometric axis of the plug pad when the plug is engaged with the mandrel-style device.

[099] By “smaller than the cavity of said second passive cavity” it is understood that the volume of the cavity is smaller, or in another embodiment, this may alternatively mean that the perimeter or edge of the cavity is smaller.

[0100] In yet another embodiment, the invention may refer to an absorbent tampon whose insertion tip may have been shaped using a bending tool, as described in the present disclosure.

[0101] The descriptive report and embodiments above are presented to aid in a complete and non-limiting understanding of the invention presented herein. As many variations and embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from its spirit and scope, the invention is based on the appended claims plus Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 30 / 68 19 / 19 further on in this document. Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 31 / 68

Claims

1 / 4 CLAIMS 1. A bending tool for manufacturing an absorbent plug, said tool being CHARACTERIZED by comprising a plurality of stations made of devices for forming a plug wad tip, and a hollow mandrel (800) that engages with the stations; said stations being supported by at least one mounting plate (202), wherein: a) said plurality of stations comprises one or more passive cavities (100, 400, 500) and one or more mandrel-style devices (200, 300); b) said hollow mandrel (800) is a prismatic tube containing a movable sliding insertable element (802), said hollow mandrel and a movable sliding insertable element are arranged and configured to support a plug retraction end and partially a plug side flank, while the plug tip is being formed during the use of the bending tool;(c) said sliding insertable element (802) can move along the length of said hollow mandrel (800).; 2. Bending tool, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that said sliding insertable element (802) is provided with retaining pins (804) that engage in slots (806) in the walls of the hollow mandrel (800).

3. Bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said sliding insertable element (802) comprises a bowl-shaped receptacle (810) dimensioned to engage a retracting end of a plug during use of the bending tool, and an edge of said bowl-shaped receptacle being tapered to engage a portion of a plug side flank during use of the bending tool.

4. Arching tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said base of the sliding insertable element Petition 870260029423, dated 30 / 03 / 2026, page 61 / 68 2 / 4 (802) has an opening through which a rod can be extended.

5. Bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said mandrel-style device (200, 300) comprises a coupling ring (208) and a plurality of movable jaws (206) fitted into separate guide rails formed therein; and in that each movable jaw (206) has a forming profile (212), and said movable jaws (206) are arranged around the longitudinal geometric axis of the mandrel-style device (200, 300), with an angle of 20° to 40° relative to said longitudinal geometric axis.

6. Bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said mandrel-style device (200, 300) is held in the open position by a compression spring (218) until said mandrel-style device (200, 300) is actuated to a closed position by said hollow mandrel (800) which pushes said rigid body towards the mounting plate (202).

7. Bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said mandrel-style device (200, 300) is equipped (200, 300) with a means of temperature control.

8. A bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said plurality of stations comprises at least two mandrel-style devices, each mandrel-style device having a unique set of movable jaws.

9. A bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said plurality of stations comprises two or more, preferably three, passive cavities (100, 400, 500).

10. Bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the last station of said bending tool is a return station (600) fitted with a formatted pusher (604) Petition 870260029423, dated 30 / 03 / 2026, page 62 / 68 3 / 4 which returns the buffer back into said hollow mandrel (800).

11. A bending tool, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED by at least one station being equipped with a movable pressure rod to apply pressure, along the longitudinal geometric axis of the plug pad and towards the mounting plate (202), on the base of the sliding insertable element (814) that supports the plug pad inside said hollow mandrel (800).

12. Method for shaping the insertion tip of an absorbent plug using a bending tool as defined in any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED by comprising the following steps: a) inserting a plug wad into a hollow mandrel (800) fitted with a sliding insertable element (802), b) placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a first passive cavity bending tool (100) to seal the tip of the plug, c) placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a first mandrel-style device (200), d) placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a second mandrel-style device (300), wherein the movable jaws of the second mandrel-style device (300) are rotated 45° relative to the movable jaws of the first mandrel-style device (200), e) placing the tip of said plug wad in contact with a second passive cavity bending tool (400),such cavity being without joint, ef) place the tip of said plug wad in contact with a bending tool of the third passive cavity (500), such cavity being without joint and smaller than the cavity of said bending tool of the second Petition 870260029423, of 03 / 30 / 2026, p. 63 / 68 4 / 4 passive cavity (400)., 13. Method, according to claim 12, CHARACTERIZED by each step of placing the mandrel-style or passive devices in contact with the tip of said plug pad for the bending tool comprising placing in contact with a maximum of 30% of the total length of the plug extending from the plug insertion tip.

14. Method, according to claim 13, CHARACTERIZED by each step of placing the mandrel-style or passive devices in contact with the tip of said plug pad for the bending tool comprising placing in contact a maximum of 25%, preferably 20%, more preferably 15% of the total length of the plug extending from the plug insertion tip.

15. Method, according to any one of claims 13 or 14, CHARACTERIZED in that at least 70%, particularly at least 80%, preferably at least 85% of the total length of the plug from the retracting end of the plug is in contact with said sliding insertable element (802) and the hollow mandrel (800). Petition 870260029423, dated 03 / 30 / 2026, pp. 64 / 68

Images