Device and method for tying a knot at the end of a line

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for tying a thread end so as to form a coil. The device (1) comprises a knotting assembly (3) for knotting two thread sections of the thread end and a drive (5) for supplying the thread sections to the knotting assembly (3). The device also comprises a circulating track (4) along which the drive and the knotting assembly (3) are guided. The circulating track has a knotting area and a turnover area and is designed to guide the drive at different speeds in the knotting area and the turnover area. The present invention also relates to a method for tying a thread end and a device for producing a tampon with a proximal recovery thread.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for tying a knot at the end of a thread so as to form a coil. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for tying a knot at the end of a thread of a tampon recovery thread.

[0002] The invention further relates to a method for tying a thread end and a device for producing a tampon with a proximal recovery thread comprising two thread ends joined together, all respectively according to the preambles of the independent claims. Background Art

[0003] Tampons are used for monthly feminine hygiene cleaning and are usually rolled or folded sheets of compressed absorbent material. Rolled-up tampons usually include one or more layers of absorbent material, plus any additional non-woven layers, and are rolled up longitudinally from one end. Modern manufacturing methods also provide for the formation of a tapered distal end. Folded tampons (so-called "tea bag tampons") are folded in a zigzag shape similar to an accordion and, if necessary, are also provided with a tapered head end like rolled-up tampons in the forming step. Regardless of the manufacturing method, all tampons require an extraction member for removal from the body orifice after use.

[0004] It is particularly important that the extraction member cannot be torn apart or that the attachment of the extraction member to the tampon (i.e. to the absorbent material or laminate) cannot be torn apart under any circumstances. For this purpose, a strip or thread is used which is placed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip around the tampon thus rolled up or folded, so that the extraction member forms a coil extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip. After the tampon has been rolled up or folded, the coil is preferably completely placed inside the tampon and it is virtually impossible to tear the extraction member from the absorbent material, since the extraction forces act not only on the proximal end of the tampon, but also on the distal end which is pulled out by the coil.

[0005] Typically, the manufacturing process of such tampons provides that the recovery line is placed around the strip material before the tampon is wound or folded and also pre-knotted. WO 2016 / 207242 (Ruggli Projects AG, Hagendorn-CH, Switzerland) shows a manufacturing process for tampons, in which the additional problems of winding tampons are particularly addressed. By folding the coil around the strip material, when the recovery line is operated, the extraction force acts at the distal end (i.e. the head end of the tampon), but in the process it may occur that the rolled-up tampon is telescopically extended and pulled out. The present invention shows how this telescoping can be substantially prevented by the laminated strip.

[0006] However, the latest generation of tampon manufacturing machines operate at a much higher capacity than previous generations. Swiss Patent Application No. 00426 / 18 (Ruggli Projects AG, Hagendorn-CH, Switzerland) shows a device for forming tampons from a strip of material, wherein a recovery line is placed around a strip of material and knotted before winding, which is described in the present disclosure. The device shown therein is capable of processing more than 140 tampons per minute. Existing knotting machines can no longer cope with these numbers.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a knotting machine that is capable of producing a large number of knots per unit time without sacrificing quality. Summary of the invention

[0008] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve existing knotting devices and to adapt them to processing a greater number of parts. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a device for knotting thread ends that is efficient and requires less maintenance.

[0009] Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a device for tying a knot at the end of a thread which solves at least one of the known problems.

[0010] This object is solved with a device for tying a thread end so as to form a coil and a corresponding method and device for manufacturing a tampon with a proximal recovery thread, each according to the characterizing parts of the independent claims.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a device for tying a thread end so as to form a loop. Preferably, this is the thread end of a recovery thread of a tampon.

[0012] The device comprises a knotter assembly for tying two wire sections at the wire ends. It further comprises a driver for feeding the wire sections to the knotter assembly. The device according to the present invention comprises a track path along which the driver is guided around the knotter assembly. The track path has an acceleration region in which the driver can be accelerated to a first speed. The track path also has a deceleration region in which the driver can be decelerated to a second speed.

[0013] Although the present invention is described above in the context of tampons for monthly feminine hygiene cleaning, those skilled in the art will appreciate that all types of tampons with recovery threads may benefit from the teachings of the present invention, such as surgical tampons used to close blood vessels, wounds, and anal tampons used primarily in medical settings.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the drive is designed to guide the wire end along the track path and, in particular, to unwind the wire end from a spool. To this end, the drive can be equipped, for example, with a gripper and / or a clamp capable of gripping a section of the wire end. As an alternative to a gripper, the drive can have a spool or a drum on which the wire end is guided.

[0015] In the sense of the present invention, the drive may be regarded as being decelerable or accelerable if it is operatively connected on its path, for example, with drive means that can decelerate and / or accelerate.

[0016] In a particular embodiment, the drive may be engaged by, for example, a pin with a drive chain mounted on the track path. This chain may be accelerated to a certain speed by the drive and decelerated as required. The drive engaged in the chain will also accelerate or decelerate.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the drive may be rigidly attached to a movable carriage mounted on the track path, which in turn is accelerated or decelerated along the track path such that the acceleration and deceleration action affects the drive.

[0018] In another alternative embodiment, the drive may be driven by a belt which can be accelerated or decelerated along the track path. Magnetic track drives are also envisioned, where excitable magnets along the track path are able to accelerate or decelerate a drive mounted on the track path.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the track path comprises an annular bearing and is itself mounted to rotate around a central unit. The drive is then, for example, rigidly connected to the rotatably mounted track path. The track path can be driven, for example, by a toothed connection provided on the track path, which can be driven and accelerated or decelerated by a drive, for example via a toothed belt.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the drive can be directly driven. Preferably, the device according to the invention is characterized by a direct drive for the drive. In another particular embodiment, the direct drive can be designed as an electric direct drive, in particular a torque drive. For this purpose, for example, a stator can be provided on the outside or inside of the track path and the drive can be provided as a rotor.

[0021] According to the invention, a drive control system can be provided, which is adapted to define an acceleration region and a deceleration region of the track path. The drive control system can be designed to ensure that the drive traverses the track path at at least two different speeds in one revolution, wherein, for example, the different speeds are indicated by a deceleration region and an acceleration region, respectively.

[0022] In another particular embodiment, the drive control system is configured to provide a first speed that is maintained in the knotting zone.

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drive control is designed to provide a second speed of the drive which is maintained in a rollover region.

[0024] For the purposes of the present invention, the turning zone may be understood as a zone in which one or more wire segments of wire carried by the drive are placed on the net feed zone in such a way that the wire segments are wound around a corresponding length of the net with the strip substrate of the recovered wire. Similarly, in the sense of the present invention, a knotting zone may be considered as another zone in which at least two wire segments of the wire ends are guided to the knotter assembly in such a way that the knotter assembly knots the two wire segments together.

[0025] In operation, this would then mean that an eye, loop or loop of the recovery line end is formed in the turning region and the resulting free line end is linked in the knotting region.

[0026] Knotter assemblies suitable for implementing the present invention are known. In its simplest embodiment, the knotter assembly suitable for the device according to the present invention comprises at least one knotting mandrel. The knotting mandrel is rotatably mounted and driven in a knotting ring. Typically, the knotting mandrel rotates on the orbital path in a rotation direction opposite to the rotation direction of the driver. During the time when the driver travels in the knotting area, the knotting mandrel engages in the wire section approached by the driver and performs a rotation. The rotation of the knotting mandrel then produces a knot.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the knotter assembly has apertures adapted to guide the two wire segments into the active area of ​​the knotter assembly when the two wire segments are guided into the active area of ​​the knotter assembly by a radial through drive.

[0028] In a particular embodiment, the device is adapted to form a knot, ie to tie a knot at the end of the line, during one rotation of the driver on the orbital path.

[0029] In a particular embodiment, the drive is oriented for radial guidance on a circular orbital path.In an alternative or complementary embodiment, the drive is rigidly connected to the orbital path and the orbital path is adapted for radial guidance.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the apparatus further comprises a wire feeder for continuously feeding a wire end to the drive.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the wire feeder comprises a spool with wound wire, and in particular comprises at least one unwinding reel via which the wire is connected to the drive. When the drive moves, the wire is unwound from the spool and fed once around the entire device, thereby essentially forming a coil of two wire pieces.

[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, the wire end may always be considered to be a processed end portion when viewed relative to the total length of the wire on the spool.

[0033] As can be understood in the sense of the invention, the wire element forms two legs of a coil essentially formed by the enveloping movement of the actuator, thereby forming an eye in which the strip substrate will later be positioned. This coil is usually placed around the strip substrate transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip substrate, so that pulling the knotted end of the coil applies a force transversely to the longitudinal direction of the strip substrate.

[0034] For the purposes of the present invention, the side of the loop opposite the knot may also be referred to as the distal end of the retrieval line, while the knot may be referred to as the proximal end of the retrieval line. This would correspond to common terminology when considering tampons, wherein the distal end is usually formed by a tapered pointed tampon head.

[0035] In a particular embodiment, the knotter assembly is configured to form a knot by rotating the knotting mandrel about a rotation axis in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the driver. In particular, the knotting mandrel rotates more than one complete turn about its rotation axis when forming the knot. Preferably, the knotting mandrel is designed to complete between 1 and 1.8 turns when forming the knot, in particular, between 1.1 and 1.6 turns, most preferably about 1.5 turns.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, during the time period that the driver moves through the knotting area, the knotting mandrel is driven to complete more than one complete turn in a direction opposite to the rotation direction of the driver. In operation, this may mean that when the driver travels around the knotting area and returns to the starting position, the knotting mandrel completes between 1 and 2 turns, and in particular, the starting turn is completed when the driver travels around the flipping area.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the device further comprises a cutting element for cutting the knotted loop at the end of the wire. Particularly preferably, the cutting element acts on the wire piece still connected to the spool at the proximal end of the loop. Particularly preferably, the cutting element is mounted in such a way that the cutting is performed by the movement of the drive, i.e. the drive guides the wire piece to be cut through the cutting element so that it is cut. In its simplest embodiment, the cutting element may be a blade mounted in the direction of travel of the drive, with which the drive guides the wire against a resistance so that the wire is cut by the cutting element.

[0038] In a particular embodiment, the cutting element is curved.In a particular embodiment, the interface of the cutting element now forms a new end piece through which the drive unwinds further wire in a further orbital path and forms a new wire end to initiate a new cycle.

[0039] In a particular embodiment, the track path is substantially circular. Particularly preferably, the track path is circular. By unwinding the wire with the circular movement of the drive, the overall design can be made more compact and the accessibility of the individual components can be improved. In addition, there is less wear on the components.

[0040] In this embodiment, the knotting area, the acceleration area, the flipping area, the deceleration area can be defined as the angles of the circular orbital path. The angles can follow the mentioned order and overlap. In another specific embodiment, the device is configured so that the drive completes a cycle with one turn of the orbital path around its rotation axis, in particular, around the center of the circular orbital path.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the cycle includes two speeds for guiding the drive along the circular orbital path. The first speed in the knotting area is designed to be lower than the second speed in the flipping area. Particularly preferably, the first speed and the second speed match the rotation speed of the knotting mandrel. The first speed enables the knotting mandrel to complete 1 to 2 turns around the axis of rotation. The second speed enables the knotting mandrel to complete the remaining turns (i.e., the difference between the starting turn and the ending second turn). For example, it can be ensured that the knotting mandrel returns to its initial state and is ready when the drive enters the knotting area again. Alternatively, the knotting mandrel can also complete more than the remaining turns (i.e., the difference between the starting turn and the ending second turn), that is, complete N additional complete turns. Wherein, a complete turn represents a complete rotation around the axis of rotation and defines a 360° angle.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a path access for the strip-shaped substrate to pass through the active area of ​​the drive.

[0043] In a particular embodiment, this path entry is a groove through which the strip substrate can be conveyed into the active area of ​​the drive. For the purposes of the present invention, the active area of ​​the drive is defined by its radial movement along the orbital path. In other words, the active area of ​​the drive is given as long as an object is within the orbital path of the drive. In practice, this may mean that the drive unwinds the wire end and carries the wire end along the orbital path in such a way that the drive winds it around the strip substrate located in the path entry.

[0044] Therefore, in a particular embodiment, the path entry is formed transversely to the knotter assembly.Particularly preferably, during orbital movement of the drive on the orbital path at the second speed, the wire end is placed around the strip-like substrate.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the device comprises a holding device to hold the coil formed by the drive circulating on the track path. Particularly preferably, the holding device is formed transversely to the knotter assembly. Most preferably, the holding device is formed transversely to the path entrance so that the coil is held in such a way that the strip substrate is placed in the legs of the coil.

[0046] In a particular embodiment, the holding device is designed as a latch. The latch is designed to apply a restoring force to the coil end of the wire end to be knotted. In particular, the latch is designed to apply a releasable restoring force to the coil end of the wire end to be knotted.

[0047] In a particular embodiment, the holding device is driven. This can be achieved, for example, by providing the holding device with an actuatable pneumatic cylinder.

[0048] In an alternative or complementary embodiment, the holding device is provided with a restoring force applying assembly so that the holding device maintains tension on the retained coil relative to the driver and the knotter assembly. In a variant in which the holding device is designed as a latch, it may also be equipped with a mechanical end stop that locks the extended latch. When the latch is released, it may release the coil and enter a released state. Preferably, the latch is then equipped so that it may automatically move into its original position.

[0049] In certain embodiments, the latch comprises a pneumatic cylinder.

[0050] In an alternative or additional embodiment, the latch comprises a spring.

[0051] In a particular embodiment, the holding device is configured to be adjustable relative to the path entrance so that different coil lengths can be accommodated. For example, depending on the selected distance of the holding device to the path entrance or knotter assembly, correspondingly longer or shorter wire segments can be used to form the coil.

[0052] In a particular embodiment, the holding device comprises at least two holding teeth. The holding teeth can be configured so that one end of a wire segment is held by a holding tooth in each case, so that the holding device holds a corresponding eye of the coil, wherein, for example, a path inlet can be guided to guide the strip-shaped substrate through the eye.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the latch is configured to apply a holding force to the coil as long as the coil has a mating pull. In operation, this can mean that once the knot is tied and the end of the wire is severed, there is no longer any back tension because the driver is no longer applying a pull to the coil. The latch can be configured so that the lack of back pull releases the coil. This release of the coil can cause the coil to be pulled by the conveyor belt substrate around which the coil is placed.

[0054] In a particular embodiment, the device comprises a guide plate for guiding the strip-shaped substrate through the active area of ​​the drive. This guide plate can, for example, be arranged at right angles to the path entrance.

[0055] In a particular embodiment, the guide plate is designed such that after releasing the holding device, the formed coil is first folded onto the guide plate and then transferred together with the corresponding tape substrate section to the next processing step by conveying the tape substrate.

[0056] In a specific embodiment, the guide plate has a tapered end surface in the longitudinal direction of the strip-shaped substrate.

[0057] In a particular embodiment, the width of the guide plate is aligned with the length of the recovery line to be achieved.

[0058] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the present invention further comprises a knot controller for checking the knot tied by the knotter assembly. In particular, the knot controller may include an optical, mechanical and / or electrical knot controller. For example, a visual knot controller may be implemented by a camera that is directed into the knotter area and visually inspects the knot. If there is no button, a mechanical knot controller that prevents further delivery of the knotting recovery line may be provided.

[0059] In a particular embodiment, the track path is drivable. Particularly preferably, the track path has a toothed connection by which it can be driven by a toothed belt. Particularly preferably, it can be uniformly accelerated and can perform a rotation about an axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the drive can be rigidly connected to the track path by riveting and / or bolting to the track path.

[0060] Particularly preferably, the drive is designed to be replaceable and removably attached to the drivable track path. In this embodiment, a toothed belt can be connected to a belt drive which is able to accelerate or decelerate the track path in a zone-segmented manner according to the invention via a drive controller. This can result in the track path describing a radius in which different speeds of the drive are provided.

[0061] In certain embodiments, the drive control system is designed to provide a continuously accelerable cyclic drive.

[0062] In a particular embodiment, the knotter assembly comprises at least one knotting mandrel rotatably driven parallel to the direction of rotation of the orbital path. The present invention provides a device for knotting the ends of a thread so as to form a coil, which is easy to maintain and suitable for supplying a strip substrate with a corresponding coil at high frequency so that it can be formed into a recycling thread for a tampon. The device according to the present invention does this in a continuous operation and is therefore suitable for the requirements of modern continuous manufacturing processes.

[0063] It goes without saying to a person skilled in the art that all of the above-described embodiments can be combined with one another in an embodiment according to the present invention as long as they are not mutually exclusive.

[0064] Another aspect of the invention is a method for knotting a thread end, in particular two thread segments of a thread end, so that a loop of recovery thread forming a tampon is produced.

[0065] In a specific embodiment, this method is implemented using the device according to the invention as described above. Correspondingly, the functional features described above with respect to the device are at the same time possible method features of the method according to the invention.

[0066] The method according to the invention comprises the following steps: guiding a wire end of a wire by a drive movable on a track path along the track path around a knotter assembly and an encapsulating element so that a coil of two wire sections of the wire end is formed between the knotter assembly and the encapsulating element.

[0067] The method according to the invention further comprises the steps of tying a knot of the two wire sections by a knotter assembly and releasing the loop at the encapsulating element. In the method according to the invention, the track path has a knotting region through which the drive passes at a first speed and a flipping region through which the drive passes at a second speed. For this purpose, an acceleration region in which the drive is accelerated to the second speed and a deceleration region in which the drive is decelerated to the first speed can be provided at the transition between the knotting region and the flipping region.

[0068] In a particular embodiment, a ratio of the first speed to the second speed is between 2:1 and 6:1.

[0069] For example, in operation, the driver will guide the wire end from the spool along the track path. This track path guides the wire through the encapsulating element so that tension is created between the encapsulating element and the driver. This also creates the eye of the coil. On its further path, the driver now guides two wire segments to the knotter assembly, and this knots the two wire ends.

[0070] In a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention, the wire end of the wire on the spool is fed to a drive movable on the track path via a restoring force. This may result in maintaining a stable tension on the wire, regardless of the trajectory completed by the drive on the track path. It should be noted that although the drive may follow a circular track path, the wire may be guided directly by the wire package or by a deflection roller that may be connected therebetween.

[0071] The restoring force may act on the wire by means of, for example, a spring loaded lever arranged between the drive and the spool or a driven intermediate spool.In a particular embodiment, these elements are located outside the radius of the track path.

[0072] In a particular embodiment, releasing the coil comprises cutting the end of the wire from the wire. This cutting may occur substantially simultaneously with the tying of the knot of the wire section. In particular, this cutting occurs immediately after the tying of the knot of the wire section.

[0073] In a particularly preferred embodiment, severing the end of the thread also precludes the release of the loop, since the lack of counter-tension prevents it from exerting a restoring force on the knotted loop, thereby releasing the loop.

[0074] In a particular embodiment, the ratio of the first speed to the second speed is between 1:2 and 1:6. In other words, movement of the drive within the first speed range occurs at a speed that is substantially between half and 6 times slower than the speed within the second range.

[0075] In another particular embodiment, the first speed is the speed of the drive as it passes through a knotting area, ie, through an area where the wire segment is located at the knotter assembly and knotting of the wire segment is performed by the knotting mandrel.

[0076] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the knotting area, the turning area and the acceleration area or the deceleration area are defined as the angle of the circular orbital path. In a specific embodiment, the knotting area includes a range between 5° and 45° of the orbital path, preferably between 10° and 30° of the orbital path, and more preferably 15° of the orbital path. Correspondingly, the remaining part of the complete orbital path (i.e., between 355° and 315°, particularly between 350° and 330°, and further particularly the remaining part of 345°) forms the turning area.

[0077] Particularly preferably, the track path has an acceleration region and a deceleration region in which the corresponding speed is recorded. Particularly preferably, the acceleration region and the deceleration region are located in the turning region.

[0078] In these areas, the drive is accelerated or decelerated to the corresponding speed at which it travels in the turning area, in the knotting area, respectively. Particularly preferably, the acceleration and deceleration of the drive is performed by the drive and controlled by the drive control system. In this example, the drive control system can be designed to control the movement of the drive from the first speed to the second speed and back again intermittently in one cycle, so that the same angular range of the track path on which the drive moves is always used for the corresponding acceleration or deceleration.

[0079] In a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention, a position starting position P0 may be considered, for example a position in which the drive forms an angle of 0° or substantially 0° with the center of the circular orbital path. In the context of the present invention, substantially 0° or substantially X° should be understood as a deviation of at most 1°.

[0080] In a particular embodiment, the knotted area comprises an angle between 0° and 45°, in particular between 0° and 30°, in particular 15°.

[0081] In another particular embodiment, the acceleration zone adjoins the knotting zone.In another particular embodiment, the knotting zone is at an angle between 0° and 15° and the acceleration zone starts directly thereafter.

[0082] In a particular embodiment, releasing the coil on the enclosure element provides for releasing a resettable latch. The latch is configured to exert a releasable restoring force in the direction of the driver and / or the knotter assembly.

[0083] The latch is preferably designed to be releasable and to automatically return to its original state. This can be done, for example, by a pneumatic cylinder or also by a spring with a set restoring force. It is also conceivable to use a magnetic control system to transfer the latch from a release position to a position in which it exerts a restoring force.

[0084] In a particular embodiment, the method according to the invention further comprises the steps of: providing a device for tying a wire end as described above; and passing a strip of substrate through the active area of ​​the drive so that the wire end is placed around the strip of substrate. In particular, the wire end is placed around the strip of substrate so that the wire end is placed around the strip of substrate when the drive moves around the track path, wherein the passing of the strip of substrate is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the track path of the drive.

[0085] In operation, the device according to the invention can be mounted in a system for producing tampons in such a way that it is operatively connected to the device perpendicularly to the track path or the axis of rotation of the drive. To this end, a corresponding feed aperture can be provided that enables the feeding of a strip-like substrate into, for example, a net feeder, as described above. The net feeder is configured so that the formed coil is arranged around the net feeder by the movement of the drive, so that the strip-like substrate is arranged in this net feeder perpendicularly or at least substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal orientation of the thread. If the coil is formed and disassembly occurs, the coil falls onto the strip-like substrate.

[0086] In a particular embodiment, the strip substrate is guided on a guide plate, the coil first falls onto the guide plate and is placed on the strip substrate by the tapered end face as it advances without interfering with the strip substrate in its transport path.

[0087] Therefore, another aspect of the present invention is to provide a device for manufacturing a tampon with a proximal recovery line. The recovery line includes two line ends connected together. The device includes a device for tying the two ends of the line as described at the beginning.

[0088] It further comprises a conveying device for conveying the strip substrate into the action area of ​​the device for knotting the two ends of the wire. In particular, the conveying device is arranged substantially perpendicular to the track path of the drive to feed two wire sections to the knotter assembly.

[0089] Another aspect and / or specific embodiment of the present invention relates to a device for tying a thread end so as to form a coil around a strip substrate (particularly, the thread end of a tampon recovery thread). The device may further include any features of the above device that do not conflict with the following features.

[0090] The device includes a knotter assembly for tying two wire segments at the ends of the wire.

[0091] It further comprises a drive for feeding the wire segments to the knotter assembly, wherein the drive is rotatably supported along an orbital path around a path entrance for passing a strip substrate, in particular, rotatably supported along a circular orbital path. The device further comprises a picker disposed substantially perpendicular to the path entrance, which is configured to receive wire segments from the drive and place wire on the strip substrate. In the context of the present invention, substantially perpendicular should be understood as being disposed within an angular range between 85° and 95° relative to the plane of the strip substrate.

[0092] By means of a pick-up arranged in this way, the wire can be smoothly placed onto the strip-shaped substrate (e.g. absorbent cotton strip). Overall, the placement movement is stable, which can increase the processing speed and improve reliability. Despite the high speed, the device runs smoother overall. The increased reliability also allows shorter maintenance intervals and fewer failures, which also allows better utilization of the device overall.

[0093] In a particular embodiment, the pick-up is substantially made of metal. This may increase durability and reduce wear. The pick-up is particularly preferably made of stainless steel. More preferably, at least the moving parts of the pick-up are made of a lightweight design, i.e. saving material as much as possible, for example by providing recesses in the pick-up bar, which may lead to material saving and thus also weight saving.

[0094] Alternatively, the pick-up, in particular at least one pick-up hook for receiving the wire section, is made of a ceramic material.

[0095] In a particular embodiment, the device comprises a guide plate for guiding the strip substrate through the active area of ​​the drive. In another particular embodiment, the device comprises a stop plate. This stop plate can be positioned between the guide plate and the picker so that the strip substrate is not touched by the picker when it is lowered down the line path by the picker. This can promote smooth operation of the device.

[0096] In a particular embodiment, the picker comprises a pick spring exerting a restoring force on a pick hook configured to receive a wire segment. The restoring force is preferably arranged so that it is overcome by knotting the two wire segments of the wire end by the knotter assembly. For example, in operation, the knotting will then cause the pick bar to overcome the lowering of the restoring force of the pick spring, thereby allowing the coil thus formed to be gently placed onto the substrate strip. Once the wire segment is released from the pick hook, the restoring force may act on the pick hook in such a way that it snaps back into its original position, ready to receive the next wire segment of the following wire end.

[0097] By sliding the coil substantially smoothly onto the tape substrate, the smoothness of the device can be promoted and processing speed can be further increased.

[0098] In a particular embodiment, the picker configured to place a wire segment from the driver onto the tape substrate includes a spring element that applies a restoring force to the picker. The spring element can facilitate the picker to return to an angled state after dropping a wire segment.

[0099] In a particular embodiment, the knotter assembly has apertures suitable for guiding the two wire segments into the active area of ​​the knotter assembly when the two wire segments are guided into the active area of ​​the knotter assembly by a radially passing drive.

[0100] In a particular embodiment, the knotter assembly has a knotter eyelet adapted to guide the at least one line segment into the knotting region of the knotter assembly when the at least one line segment is guided into the active region of the knotter assembly by the radially passing driver. Preferably, the knotter eyelet has a guiding geometry for this purpose, which is designed to be aligned with the rotation direction of the driver.

[0101] The device for manufacturing tampons according to the invention comprises a conveying device for conveying the strip substrate, which is conveyed into the action area of ​​the device for knotting two thread ends in such a way that during the track movement of the drive along the track path, the thread ends are placed around the strip substrate essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strip substrate.

[0102] The invention will now be explained in more detail below with reference to (but not limited to) drawings and specific embodiments. For a person skilled in the art, other advantageous embodiments that can be implemented in the solution according to the invention will be derived from a study of these examples and drawings.

[0103] The drawings are schematic and, for the sake of clarity, identical parts have been given identical reference numerals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0104] Examples of embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings.

[0105] Figure 1 Schematically showing the structure of the device according to the present invention;

[0106] Figure 2 Schematic showing the area division of the track path;

[0107] Figure 3An example of a device according to the invention is presented;

[0108] Figure 4a Schematically illustrating a latch that can be used in a device according to the invention in a clamped position;

[0109] Figure 4b Showing the relaxed position Figure 4a corresponding latch;

[0110] Figure 5a Another example of the device according to the present invention is shown;

[0111] Figure 5b Display basis Figure 5a Alternative embodiments of the device;

[0112] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a suitable knotter assembly;

[0113] Figure 7a is a view of the knotted mandrel without eyelets;

[0114] Figure 7b is a view of a knotted mandrel having eyelets, and

[0115] Figure 8a is an alternative example of the device according to the invention;

[0116] Figure 8b is a schematic section showing a detailed view of a stress-free pickup of Example 8a;

[0117] Figure 8c is a schematic section showing a detailed view of a tensioning pick-up of Embodiment 8a;

[0118] Figure 8d is a schematic section showing a detailed view of the knotter assembly of Example 8a, and

[0119] Fig. 9 Schematic display based on Figure 8a The structure of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] Figure 1 The schematic structure of a device 1 according to the invention for tying a knot at the end of a thread is shown. The goal of the knotting is that the two loose ends of the thread first form an eye and the loose ends are knotted in such a way that they together form a taut coil. In the described application method, the coil is wound around the strip material so that the two legs of the coil are each placed on one side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip. When the strip material is rolled up (for example) to form a tampon for feminine hygiene cleaning, the coil is placed inside the tampon. The knotted end of the thread protrudes from the tampon, and the knot and the coil formed by the knot can serve as a recovery line to (for example) remove the tampon.

[0121] First, a track path 4 is provided for the device 1 to wind the mesh material and to tie the ends of the wire. In the present example, the track path is circular. Advantageous effects can be achieved by the circular design of the track path. Objects moving on the circular path can move at a constant radial speed. Bearings and / or drive members experience a substantially uniform load and can therefore be designed to avoid or at least minimize unbalance effects. In addition, the control of individual elements is simplified (see later on the synchronization of the knotting mandrel and the wire drive). The acceleration and deceleration of the elements can occur in coordination with the angular segments, so that fine adjustments are also possible; such adjustments are particularly useful when the device according to the invention is adapted to new wire materials and / or mesh materials. For this purpose, depending on the wire tension, elasticity and friction resistance, a person skilled in the art can adjust the control of the movement of the elements as required.

[0122] In the present example, the drive 5 moves along this orbital path 4 at different speeds in a direction of rotation R. For simplicity, this direction of rotation R corresponds to the clockwise direction and is considered as a reference for explaining the directions of rotation of other components in the further course of the application. Of course, the device according to the invention can also be designed as a mirror image, and the corresponding directions of rotation can be exactly opposite.

[0123] The drive 5 is used to carry the wire from the spool ( Figure 1 ) so that it is placed around a specific element of the device 1.

[0124] During its travel, the drive 5 causes the wire to be wound around, in particular, the first pin 9.2, which in the present example acts as an encapsulation element. During the continuous movement around the track path, the pin 9.2 remains open at one eye. When moving along the track path 4, the drive 5 as a whole performs a complete circle and allows the wire to form a coil between the bobbin and the second pin 9.1, which can be configured, for example, from the bobbin on the opposite edge of the first pin 9.2. In the simplest embodiment, this second pin 9.1 is designed as a spindle or sword, which protrudes from the rear wall on which the elements of the device are placed into the action space of the drive 5 and can also be drivable. In the present simplest case, the first pin 9.2 is also a spindle (for example towards the Figure 1 The first pin 9.2 may be a mandrel tapering towards the viewer) from which the knotted wire coil can easily slide out in the viewer's direction, for example where the wire coil is entrained by a belt conveyor running perpendicular to the track path 4 of the device 1. In particular and in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the first pin 9.2 may be replaced by an actuating rod or other powered retaining device, such as a releasable latch.

[0125] To prevent the wire end released from the first pin (which is formed as a mandrel) from hitting the strip substrate too strongly with the coil, a deflection fin 7 is provided, which also extends into the action area and into the interior of the coil, catches the coil when it is released from the mandrel and releases this tapered end smoothly onto the strip material in the direction of strip running.

[0126] The strip material enters the active area of ​​the drive 5 through the path inlet 8. In the simplest configuration, the path inlet 8 is a recess in the rear wall of the device. A web guide 6 protrudes through the path inlet 8 into the active area of ​​the device and is arranged to guide the strip material into the device via a drive device, such as a roller (not shown in the figure). On this strip guide 6, the strip material is conveyed into the active area of ​​the drive 5. If the drive has passed the second guide pin 9.1, the strip guide 6 and therefore the strip substrate is located in the eye of the coil formed by the two legs of the wire carried by the drive 5.

[0127] During this movement, the drive 5 passes through the turning area at a certain speed.

[0128] At the opposite end of the first pin 9 . 2 a knotter assembly 3 is arranged which is arranged within the knotter eyelet 2 .

[0129] In the present example, the driver now travels through the knotting region at a speed different from the speed of the turnover region. This allows the driver 5 to travel along the turnover region at a speed between two and five times the speed at which it travels in the knotting region. This knotting region begins at the position where the action of the knotter assembly begins to act on the end of the line, and accordingly the position where the knotter assembly connects the two legs of the coil and forms a knot. In the present example, the knotting region begins roughly after the driver 5 passes through the second pin 9.1 and forms a coil around the first pin 9.2, and the strip guide 6 is present inside the coil. The corresponding knotting region and turnover region can be defined as the angle of the track path 4.

[0130] The speed of the drive 5 is variable and the drive 5 can be controlled and driven to accelerate and decelerate. If the drive 5 is in the knotting area, the knotting mandrel ( Figure 1 The drive 5 (not shown) is rotated in the knotter assembly 3 in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation R1 of the drive 5, in particular one and a half revolutions. Finally, the drive 5 passes the area of ​​action of the cutting blade 14, which cuts off the thread end, thus enabling the knotting thread loop to be guided away. The drive 5 picks up another thread end and continues to move in the direction of rotation R.

[0131] exist Figure 2 In the following, we will explain the use of Figure 1 The corner openings of the track path 4 arranged as shown in the figure are used to determine the area of ​​action. Figure 1 regional division. Figure 2Again, schematically shown from Figure 1 The center M of the circular orbital path 4 is also shown. The drive is guided on the radius of the orbital path 4. The process cycle begins when the drive 5 guides the end of the slack line on the turning area U. This turning area U can include a first acceleration area B1. In the acceleration area B1, the drive is accelerated to a second speed. This second speed can exceed 500 rpm (relative to the track) and in the present example is in the range of 510 rpm. In the acceleration area B1, 200 to 950 rad / s can occur. 2 The acceleration between.

[0132] The initial speed of the driver 5 at the beginning of the acceleration zone B1 corresponds to the constant speed maintained by the driver during the entire passage through the knotting zone V. The constant and relatively low speed in the knotting zone V enables the knotter assembly 3 to knot the ends of the loops supplied by the driver. In the present example, during the knotting zone V, the speed of the driver is 5 to 6 times less than the maximum speed in the turning zone U. Specifically, here, the driver 5 leaves the knotting zone V at a speed between 50 rpm and 15 rpm, specifically, about 90 rpm.

[0133] To ensure that the speed of the drive is decelerated upon re-entering the knotting zone V to a constant speed between 0.5 and 6 times lower than the maximum speed of the drive in the reversing zone U, the reversing zone U comprises a second acceleration zone B2, in practice a zone in which the drive is accelerated at, for example, 200 to 950 cycles / s. 2 The acceleration between the two causes a deceleration area B2 around which the speed of the drive is decelerated.

[0134] In the present example, the knotted area may comprise an angle of substantially 15°.

[0135] Thus, depending on the parameters set by a person skilled in the art, there is a time interval of between 0.015 seconds and 0.05 seconds in the knotting zone for forming the knot. Overall, in this particular exemplary embodiment, the speed of the drive is such that it performs a complete cycle in a period of between 0.08 seconds and 0.18 seconds. In this example, the acceleration in the acceleration zones B1, B2 is approximately +, -940 rad / s, respectively. 2 When, a time period of 0.028 seconds can be defined for the knotting area V, and a time period of 0.053 seconds can be defined for the turning area U.

[0136] This makes it possible to provide a knotting device (as described at the beginning) which is capable of very high throughput speeds and which at the same time can be operated with little material wear and with little maintenance.

[0137] Figure 3A possible embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention is shown. In this example, the drive 5 is rigidly connected to the track path 4, which can be driven by a toothed connection via a toothed belt (not shown in the figure). The track path 4 is arranged around a ring bearing. The drive 5 has a wire clamp 5.1 that clamps the wire end 30. As the drive 5 moves on the track path 4, the drive 5 unwinds the wire from the spool (not shown in the figure). In the present example, the unwinding is carried out via the drive 5 moving on the track path 4 and is therefore continuous. However, it is also possible to consider an intermediate deflection roller or an unwinding roller that actively feeds the wire to the drive.

[0138] In the present example, the first pin 9.2 is replaced by a retaining device 10 having retaining teeth 10.1, 10.2. These retaining teeth 10.1, 10.2 hold the coil end of the thread end 30 open so that an eye is formed. Thus, in actual operation of tampon manufacturing, this forms the end face, i.e. the distal end of the recovery thread that is substantially located inside the tampon.

[0139] As the drive 5 moves along the track path 4, the legs are placed onto the holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 in such a way that the coil remains open until knotting of the proximal coil end (i.e. the end of the wire facing away from the terminal face) has occurred. Inside the stopped coil is a web guide 6 on which the strip substrate is guided through the active area of ​​the device 1. Deflection fins 7 are provided to first catch any slack in the wire and allow it to rest on the strip substrate via a tapered end. The deflection fins 7 are first designed so that they extend into the active area of ​​the device parallel to the conveying direction of the strip material and taper at the terminal face to allow the coil to slide off smoothly. In a particular embodiment, the deflection fins 7 can be mounted in the device 1 in a replaceable and / or adjustable manner to make it easier for a person skilled in the art to fine-tune the operating parameters to wire length, elasticity, etc.

[0140] The driver 5 guides the coil ends to the knotter assembly 3 in its movement around the holding teeth, around the strip guide 6 and around the deflection fins 7. There, the two coil ends are guided by the knotting eye at the knotting mandrel and knotted.

[0141] Downstream of the knotter assembly, a blade may be provided to cut the wire end (not shown).

[0142] The entire device 1 is attached to a machine frame 11 .

[0143] Figure 4a and 4b The display can be used for Figure 3The device according to the invention shown in the figure and designed as a holding device 10 of a latch. The holding device 10 has two holding teeth 10.1, 10.2. These holding teeth are used to keep the coil formed by the driver 5 open during the radial movement of the driver 5 around the holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 on the orbital path. The holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 are formed as a latch on a latch arm 10.6 and are rotatably mounted around a latch pin 10.3.

[0144] The holding device 10 is also designed with a locking screw and a locking plate 10.4 and can thus be mounted in the device in a displaceable manner. Again, this makes it easier for a person skilled in the art to adjust the device to the properties of the wire material and the desired strip width, speed, wire section, etc. For this purpose, the locking plate 10.4 can also be displaceably arranged via a screw along a groove in the axis of the web feeder. In particular, this displaceability ensures that different wire sections and desired coil sizes can be adapted.

[0145] To ensure that the latch arm 10.6 returns to the original starting position after it has been released once, a restoring force or mechanism may be provided, such as a spring or a pneumatic cylinder.

[0146] In the present example, the latch arm 10.6 is also spring-loaded with a restoring force via a damper 10.5 with a stop 10.9. Due to the suspension, the wire may not break during encapsulation. The spring acts directly on the wire end of the driver and ensures a certain play at the wire end (see also the spring at the driver in FIG. 8 ). Thus, the wire is guided tautly and slackly at the same time to allow sufficient play for guiding and knotting without breaking.

[0147] In this particular embodiment, the holding device is configured to exert a force of between 5N and 25N, preferably between 7.5N and 15N, preferably substantially 10N, on the wire coil.

[0148] exist Figure 4b exhibit Figure 4a A holding device in which the latch has been released, i.e. the latch arm is released. In this state, the coil previously held by the holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 is released and passed to the further process control. The spring 10.10 is released and the stop 10.9 is released. The release occurs via the rotation of the latching rod 10.6 around the latching pin 10.3. In operation, the holding device 10 configured in this way will instantly return to Figure 4a 10.9 is ready to receive a new wire coil. In this example, a pneumatic cylinder can be used to return the latching rod to its original position. The stop block 10.9 must also resist the spring force of the relaxation spring 10.10, depending on the spring strength and the setting of the desired force between 5N and 25N, preferably between 7.5N and 15N, preferably substantially 10N, applied to the wire coil.

[0149] FIG. 5 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention.

[0150] The device 1 comprises a track path 4 drivable by a toothed connection 4.1 via a toothed belt. A drive controller is provided which is designed in such a way that the speed of the track path 4 mounted on the machine frame 11 by means of ring bearings is continuously adjustable.

[0151] In particular, the drive controller is configured to enable the orbital path to travel at a first speed in a first range and at a second speed in a second range.A drive 5 is carried which is rigidly connected in the direction of rotation R (clockwise) of the orbital path.

[0152] A strip guide 6 extends through the device, through which the strip material enters the active area of ​​the driver 5 and the coil is formed around the strip substrate by the path of the driver 5 around the holding device 10 and the knotter assembly 3. In order to guide the coil end to the knotter assembly 3 in the correct orientation, a knotter eyelet 2 is provided which is radially inclined and designed to be aligned in the direction of rotation.

[0153] The device further comprises a knotter hook 12 driven by a drive wheel 13. The pin-shaped knotter hook 12 comprises a hook end 12.1 and a drive end 12.2 connected to and supported by the drive wheel 13. In operation, the hook end 12.2 engages the coil and approaches the rotation plane of the track path, opening the coil perpendicularly thereto. To this end, the drive pulley 13 is arranged at right angles to the track path 4 and correspondingly driven perpendicularly thereto.

[0154] In certain embodiments, the knotter hook 12 may properly feed the loop end to the knotter assembly and / or facilitate removal of the knotted loop after the thread end is severed by moving it out of the active area in the direction of rotation of the drive wheel 13 .

[0155] The drive wheel 13 of the knotter hook 12 is driven so that its movement and speed are synchronized with the drive 5. In other words, the drive wheel may, for example, be designed so that it completes one full turn in the time required to move the drive once around the entire orbital path.

[0156] In another additional or alternative embodiment, the knotter hook 12 can prevent the line end from entering the area of ​​action of the cutting element too early during knotting due to the pull of the driver. In this example, this can be facilitated by the knotter hook 12 pulling the coil, thus keeping the coil end that has not been knotted away from the cutting element. In this embodiment, the knotter hook 12 will preferably be timed synchronously with the knotter assembly 3 via the drive wheel 13 so that it completes one turn within the time required for the knotter assembly 3 to form a knot, that is, between 1 and 2 turns.

[0157] Figure 5b Display basis Figure 5a Another advantageous embodiment of the device. To reduce the total moving mass, it was surprisingly found that using a drive wheel 13', preferably with three symmetrically arranged outer brackets, can achieve mass savings with high controllability and quiet operation. Drive wheels with four or more arms are also conceivable.

[0158] exist Figure 6 , details of the device described in the above figure description are shown, which show a suitable knotter assembly 3 and a driver 5.

[0159] The drive 5 shown is rigidly connected to the track path 4 and, for illustration, is positioned immediately adjacent to the knotter assembly 3. For example, the drive may be in this position when beginning to enter the knotting area. For simplicity, the coil ends at the ends of the wire are not shown.

[0160] The knotter assembly 3 is placed in the knotter eyelet 2 and comprises a knotting mandrel 3.1 configured to rotate counterclockwise in the knotter eyelet 2. In the process, the knotting mandrel 3.1 performs an inclined movement with the tip running towards the wire coil and engages in the coil end held by the drive and holding device. Pressing the coil end, rotating the knotting mandrel and guiding on the knotter eyelet, the knot is formed in 1 to 2, preferably 1.5 rotations of the knotting mandrel.

[0161] The knotter eyelet 2 comprises a guide geometry 2.1 which is directed outwards (i.e. in the radial direction). In operation, the coil end is first guided to the guide geometry 2.1 and as it continues along the path of the driver 5, is guided into the active area of ​​the knotting mandrel 3.1 which rotates in the opposite direction to the orbital path of the driver 5.

[0162] In the present example, the driver 5 has a driver holder 5 . 1 with a restoring force, through which the coil is guided into the knot with sufficient play.

[0163] Finally, the second stitch end enters the action area of ​​the knotting mandrel 3.1 and is knotted with the first stitch end.

[0164] Figure 7a Display without knotter eyelet Figure 6 Schematic side view of a knotter assembly of FIG. The knotter assembly basically comprises a replaceable knotting mandrel 3.1 which is detachably and rigidly connected to a rotatably mounted drive pulley 3.5 via a mandrel foot 3.3. In general, the knotter assembly 3 shown has a multi-part design. The knotting mandrel 3.1 comprises a first mandrel extension 3.1 and a second mandrel extension 3.2 aligned in parallel and a wire guide aperture 3.4 also aligned in parallel to the knotting mandrel extension. In operation, the two-part mandrel shape and the wire guide aperture 3.4 ensure that the knotting wire loop can be released from the knotter assembly after the knot is tied.

[0165] like Figure 7b As can be seen in the figure, the laterally inclined and radially aligned knotter eyelet 2 has a corresponding groove.

[0166] A drive which is rigidly connected to the track path in the direction of rotation is suitable for the device according to the invention. The drive can be detachably connected to the track path, for example, by a clamping screw or a plurality of clamping screws extending through the entire contour of the track path. For this purpose, for example, a pre-drilled groove can be provided in the track path.

[0167] A first spring element may also be provided on the driver, which spans the entire profile thickness of the track path and connects the rear element of the driver to the front element of the driver. In this example, the front element of the driver will be an element that guides the wire end to the area of ​​action of the holding device and the knotter assembly. This allows the first spring element to create an effective connection between the spring arranged on the rear side and the wire clamp provided on the front side. In operation, this will cause the wire clamp to allow the wire end to have some play due to the spring action. For example, together with the above-mentioned spring-loaded holding device, this can promote tying a knot by the knotter assembly, prevent the wire end from breaking, and achieve higher processing speed.

[0168] Figure 8a Another aspect of the invention is described, which is a specific embodiment. The device shown is suitable for placing the end of the line around a band-like substrate (e.g., a cotton strip for a tampon) and tying two wire sections of the end of the line so that a coil can be formed. If the cotton strip is rolled up, wound and / or folded, these wire sections of the end of the line can protrude from the resulting tampon and act as a recovery line. Therefore, when the end of the line is knotted, a coil is formed around the band-like substrate. The end of the line (not shown) is unwound from the drive 5. The drive 5 is rigidly connected to a toothed rotating wheel 20. This rotating wheel 20 can be driven by, for example, a drive belt or a drive wheel (not shown) and can preferably be accelerated or decelerated respectively. The rotating wheel 20 is mounted on a track path 4 so that the drive 5 can perform a circular movement. In the process, the drive guides the end of the line through various processing units.

[0169] During a complete rotation around the orbital path 4, the wire is wound once around a substrate strip (e.g. cotton strip) which is delivered centrally into the area of ​​action of the drive. The wire end is first placed around a pick-up which initially holds the wire end and the resulting coil open. Another wire section of the wire end is placed on the deflection fins.

[0170] Next, the open wire end is transferred to the knotter assembly 3, where the two wire sections of the wire end are knotted together. The guiding geometry 2.1 formed on the knotter eyelet ensures that the free wire piece is correctly guided to the wire piece to be knotted.

[0171] The loops produced in this way are conveyed away together with the cotton strip perpendicular to the image plane. The picker 15 allows the produced loops to slide down in a controlled manner onto the substrate strip by releasing the thread section held in the pick-up hook 15.1 by lowering the pick-up bar 15.4. For this purpose, the pick-up bar 15.4 is pivotally mounted in the joint 15.2. The pick-up spring 15.3 exerts a restoring force on the pick-up hook 15.1. This is overcome by the knotting process of the knotter assembly 3 and the corresponding traction on the thread end. When the pick-up bar 15.4 is in its maximum lowered position, it releases the thread section, so that the restoring force returns it to the angled starting position.

[0172] After tying the knot, the end of the wire is moved past the cutting blade 14 which cuts the coil. The drive 5 starts a new revolution with a new wire end on the track path 4. The mentioned elements are attached to the machine frame 11 through which a centrally provided groove allows a strip entry for the substrate strip.

[0173] The substrate strip is guided horizontally by a strip guide 6. In addition to the strip guide, a stop plate 6.1 is formed parallel thereto, which prevents the pick-up hook from interfering with the belt transport of the strip-shaped substrate.

[0174] The deflection fin 7 guides the wire end from the opposite side close to the cotton strip and enables the generated loop to slide smoothly through its end which tapers in the conveying direction of the cotton strip (i.e., towards the plane of the observer). In addition, the deflection fin exerts the necessary resistance on the knotter assembly to tie the wire end through the notch. Figure 5a or 5b) After the generated coil and substrate strip are guided away, the deflection fin 7 guides the coil onto the strip-shaped substrate by its conical shape. The spherical shape after the notch also ensures the necessary pulling resistance to release the coil from the knotter eyelet 2.

[0175] By means of the device shown and the resulting gentle placement of the wire coil on the cotton strip, high processing speeds with high reliability can be achieved. This device is also capable of driving a corresponding acceleration and variable speed of the drive 5, as described above. Figure 1 As described in Examples 7 to 7.

[0176] Figure 8b A section of the pick-up 15 at the upper end of the track path is shown. The pick-up 15 is positioned so that it forms an angle of no more than 95° and no less than 85° with respect to the plane of the strip guide (not shown in this figure) and therefore with respect to the strip substrate. Here, the angle is viewed from the center of the end face of the pick-up hook 15.1. The pick-up hook 15.1 is essentially hook-shaped at the end of a pick-up bar 15.4 and is suitable for receiving a line section of the line end (not shown in the figure). The pick-up bar 15.4 pivots around the joint 15.2 and is Figure 8bThe pick-up spring is operatively connected between the pick-up bar 15.4 and the machine frame 11 so that a restoring force acts on the pick-up bar 15.4. The pick-up 15 is bolted to the machine frame 11 via the flange 22 using screws 21. The track path is guided radially around the pick-up 15. Figure 8b In the figure, grooves 23 and teeth 24 are visible which may be operatively connected to a drive belt or belts (eg, a track).

[0177] exist Figure 8c middle, Figure 8b The pick rod 15.4 shown in FIG. 1 is shown in an angled position, wherein the pick hook 15.1 releases the previously held wire segment and allows it to slide onto the substrate strip. The pick spring 15.3 is fully extended and applies full restoring force to the pick rod. When the wire path has left the pick hook, the pick rod moves back to Figure 8b angled position in preparation for picking up a new wire piece.

[0178] Figure 8d Detailed display Figure 8a Another area of ​​an embodiment of the present invention. A knotter assembly 3, a driver 5 and a cutting blade 14 are shown. In operation, the driver 5 is designed to unwind the end of the wire so that it is formed into a coil when traveling along the track path of the device. In the knotter assembly 3, two wire sections are guided toward each other in a manner that allows them to be tied into a knot. The knotter assembly 3 is a composite component surrounded by a knotter eyelet 2 on the outside. The knotter eyelet 2 has a guiding geometry 2.1 on the side facing the direction of rotation, which is used to accommodate free wire pieces. A cutting blade 14 is provided above the knotter assembly 3, which is firmly connected to the machine frame via a cutting blade clamp 14.2, which in turn holds a replaceably designed blade 14.1 in the action area of ​​the driver so that when the driver passes through the cutting blade, the coil is cut off from the end of the wire. The driver is rigidly connected to a rotating wheel, which can be driven by a belt as described above, for example.

[0179] Fig. 9 The operation of Examples 8a to d is again schematically shown in FIG.

[0180] The device 1 comprises a track path 4 around which a drive 5 is movably mounted. The drive 5 thus performs a circular movement around a path entry 8 provided substantially centrally in the device 1 for conveying a strip-shaped substrate substantially perpendicular to the image plane into the active area of ​​the drive 5.

[0181] When the drive moves along its track path 4, the drive carries the wire end, whose wire segments interact with individual elements of the device 1 arranged along the track path. First, a coil is formed around the path entrance 8 by the wire end. The two wire segments of the wire end are guided together in the knotter assembly 3 by the knotter eyelet 2 in such a way that a knotting mandrel (not shown in the figure) can tie them. In this case, the wire segments are held by a picker 15 arranged essentially at right angles above the substrate strip. Then, the wire path is gently lowered onto the substrate strip by the picker 15, overcoming the restoring force. A stop plate 6.1 can be provided above the strip substrate so that the picker 15 does not touch it and can therefore interfere with the operation of the strip substrate. The strip substrate is guided by the guide plate 6 at the path entrance 8.

[0182] In particular, a cutting blade 14 fixed to the track path 4 cuts off the produced coils, which are in particular cut by Figure 5a The knotter hook 12 shown in or 5b is released together with the substrate strip. The formed loop is released from the knotter eyelet of the knotter assembly and slides over the conical deflection fin 7 to the upper end face of the strip substrate. When the strip substrate is sent away, the loop is pulled with it and can protrude as a recovery line in the tampon produced by winding, folding and / or pressing.

[0183] The present invention provides a device for knotting the ends of a slack thread to produce a tampon with a recovery thread, the device is safe to operate and easy to maintain, and can provide continuous mass production of tampons.

[0184] Component Symbol List

[0185] 1: Device for tying a knot at the end of the line

[0186] 2: Knotter eyelet

[0187] 2.1: Guiding geometry

[0188] 3: Knotter assembly

[0189] 3.1: Knotting the mandrel

[0190] 3.2: Second spindle extension

[0191] 3.4: Wire Guide Aperture

[0192] 3.5: Rotatably mounted drive pulley

[0193] 4: Track Path

[0194] 5: Driver

[0195] 5.1: Drive holder

[0196] 6: Guide plate

[0197] 6.1: Stop plate

[0198] 7: Deflection fins

[0199] 8: Path entrance

[0200] 9.2: First Pin

[0201] 9.1: Second pin

[0202] 10: Holding device

[0203] 10.1: First retaining tooth

[0204] 10.2: Second retaining tooth

[0205] 10.3: Latch pin

[0206] 10.4: Locking plate

[0207] 10.5: Dampers

[0208] 10.6: Latch Arm

[0209] 10.9: Stop block

[0210] 10.10: Spring

[0211] 11: Machine frame

[0212] 12: Knotter hook

[0213] 12.1: Hook end

[0214] 12.2: Drive end

[0215] 13: Driving wheel

[0216] 14: Cutting blade

[0217] 14.1: Blade

[0218] 14.2: Cutting blade clamp

[0219] 15: Pickup

[0220] 15.1: Pickup Hook

[0221] 15.2: Connectors

[0222] 15.3: Pick up the spring

[0223] 15.4: Pickup Rod

[0224] 20: Rotating wheel

[0225] 23: Groove

[0226] 24: Tooth

[0227] 30: End of line

[0228] B1: Acceleration Zone

[0229] B2: Second acceleration area

[0230] M: Center

[0231] V: Knotting area

[0232] R: Rotation direction

[0233] U: Flip area.

Claims

1. A device (1) for tying a knot at the end of a thread so as to form a coil, comprising: a. a knotter assembly (3) for tying a knot between two wire segments at the ends of the wire; b. a drive (5) for feeding the line segment to the knotter assembly (3); c. a track path (4) along which the drive is guided around the knotter assembly (3), and The device (1) is characterized in that The track path has a knotting region (V) in which the actuator is movable at a first speed, and an enveloping region (U) in which the actuator is movable at a second speed; and It further comprises a holding device (10) designed as a latch, the holding device being designed to exert a restoring force on the coil end of the wire end to be knotted.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the thread end is a thread end of a recovery thread of a tampon.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a wire feeder for continuously feeding a wire end to the driver.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 or 3, further comprising a cutting element for severing the coil at the end of the wire.

5. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the orbital path is a substantially circular orbital path.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 or 3, comprising a path entry for passing a strip of substrate through an active area of ​​the drive such that the wire ends are placed around the strip of substrate.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the path entry passes a strip of substrate through an active area of ​​the drive such that the wire ends are positioned around the strip of substrate as the drive travels on the track path.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a guide plate for guiding a strip of substrate through the active area of ​​the drive.

9. The device according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a knot controller for checking the knot of two wire sections tied by the knotter assembly (3).

10. The apparatus of claim 1 or 3, wherein the track path is drivable.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the track path comprises a toothed connection by means of which the track path is drivable by a toothed belt, such that the toothed belt can perform an accelerable rotation about an axis of rotation.

12. The device of claim 1 or 3, comprising a direct drive for driving the actuator.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the direct drive for driving the actuator is an electric direct drive.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 or 3, further comprising a track drive for driving the actuator on the track path.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the track drive is a continuously accelerable track drive.

16. The device of claim 1 or 3, wherein the knotter assembly comprises a rotatably driven knotting mandrel.

17. The device of claim 1 or 3, wherein the device is configured to direct the actuator through a knotting region at a first speed, wherein the first speed is lower than a second speed at which the actuator is directed through the encapsulation region.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the first speed has a maximum speed between 2 and 9 times slower than a maximum speed of the second speed.

19. The device according to claim 1 or 3, wherein the first speed is between 300° / s and 600° / s and the second speed is between 500° / s and 4000° / s.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the device is configured to direct the driver through a knotting region at a first speed between 50 rpm and 150 rpm, and to direct the driver through an encapsulation region at a second speed between 200 rpm and 600 rpm.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the device is configured to direct the actuator through a knotting region at a first speed of about 90 rpm and to direct the actuator through an encapsulation region at a second speed of about 500 rpm.

22. The device according to claim 1 or 3, further comprising a drive control system for moving the drive at a first speed in the knotting area and at a second speed in the encapsulation area (U).

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the drive control system is suitable for guiding the drive through the knotting area at a first speed so that the drive leaves the knotting area after the knotter assembly performs between 1 and 2 turns in the opposite direction of the drive.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the drive control system is suitable for guiding the drive through the knotting area at a first speed so that the drive leaves the knotting area after the knotter assembly performs substantially 1.5 turns in the opposite direction of the drive.

25. A method for knotting two thread sections at the end of a thread by means of a device according to any one of the preceding claims, so as to produce a loop of recovery thread forming a tampon, comprising the following steps: a. A wire end of a wire guide wire along a track path around a knotter assembly and an enclosure element by a drive movable on a track path, so that a coil of two wire segments of the wire end is formed between the knotter assembly and the enclosure element; b. tying the two wire segments by the knotter assembly and untying the loop at the encapsulating element, and The track path has a knotting region (V) in which the driver is guided at a first speed and an encapsulation region (U) in which the driver is guided at a second speed, and untying the coil at the encapsulation element provides release of the latch, the release of the latch being configured to apply a releasable restoring force in the direction of the driver and / or the knotter assembly.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein a. feeding the end of the line from the line on the spool to the drive movable on the track path occurs via a restoring force, and b. Releasing the coil includes cutting the wire end from the wire.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the ratio of the first speed to the second speed is between 1:2 and 1:

6.

28. Method according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the knotted area (V) comprises an angle between 5° and 45° of the orbital path.

29. Method according to claim 28, wherein the knotted area (V) comprises an angle between 5° and 30° of the orbital path.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the knotted area (V) comprises an angle of 15° of the orbital path.

31. The method according to claim 25 or 26, further comprising the steps of: A strip of substrate is passed through the active area of ​​the drive such that the wire ends are placed around the strip of substrate, wherein the passing of the strip of substrate is arranged substantially perpendicular to the track path of the drive.

32. The method of claim 31 , wherein the step of passing a strip of substrate through the active area of ​​the actuator such that the wire ends are positioned around the strip of substrate comprises: The strip substrate is passed through the active area of ​​the drive so that the wire ends are positioned around the strip substrate as the drive travels on the track path.

33. An apparatus for producing a tampon having a proximal recovery cord including two cord ends joined together, the apparatus comprising: a. A device for tying two line ends according to any one of claims 1 to 12; b. a conveying device for conveying the strip-shaped substrate into the area of ​​action of the device for tying the two thread ends, and The conveying device for conveying the strip substrate is conveyed into the action area of ​​the device for knotting two thread ends in such a way that during the track movement of the drive along the track path, the thread is placed around the strip substrate essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the strip substrate.

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, wherein the conveying means is arranged substantially perpendicular to a track path of a drive for feeding the two wires to a knotter assembly.

35. An apparatus (1) for tying a knot at the end of a thread so as to form a coil around a tape-like substrate, comprising: a. a knotter assembly (3) for tying a knot between two wire segments at the ends of the wire; b. a drive (5) for feeding the wire segment to the knotter assembly (3), the drive being rotatable along an orbital path (4) around a path inlet (8) through which the strip substrate passes, so that a coil is formed, and The device (1) is characterized in that providing a pick-up (15) arranged substantially perpendicular to the path entry (8) to pick up a line segment from the drive and place it on the tape substrate, and Further comprising a holding device (10) designed as a latch, the holding device being designed to exert a restoring force on the coil end of the thread end to be knotted; The track path has a knotting region (V) in which the actuator is movable at a first speed, and an enveloping region (U) in which the actuator is movable at a second speed.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the thread end is a thread end of a recovery thread of a tampon.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein the drive is rotatable on a circular orbital path (4).

38. The device according to claim 35, wherein the pickup (15) is metal.

39. Device according to any one of claims 35 or 38, comprising a pick-up spring (15.3) exerting a restoring force on the pick-up (15).

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