MOVEMENT DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MOVEMENT OF TAMPON APPLICATORS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a conveying device for tampon applicators, as well as a method for conveying tampon applicators, in particular in a production line for tampons with applicators, all according to the preambles of the independent patent claims. Technological background

[0002] Tampon applicators are usually tube-shaped insertion aids made of plastic. In their simplest design, they have a sleeve with a distal opening through which the tampon is released into the body after insertion. The tampon is expelled using a proximally positioned plunger. Inserting the plunger into the sleeve pushes the tampon contained therein through said distal opening. More sophisticated designs have a rounded distal head end with incisions that open like flower petals when the tampon is pushed out. Grips or ribbed sections are also now standard designs to facilitate use. The plunger is often a small tube through which a tampon removal string is threaded. During use, this is held in the hand so that it can be securely inserted.

[0003] The present invention is suitable, for example, for tampons with applicators as described in EP 3,016,623 A1 or EP 2,389,437 B1 are shown.

[0004] In the production of applicator tampons, i.e. tampons that are sold ready-made in applicators, the tampon applicators, which are usually manufactured using an injection molding process, are initially fed into production as loose goods.

[0005] US 2003 / 0146071 A1 (Amsted Industries Incorporated) discloses conveyor systems according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular those for conveying machine components for vehicle engines. The conveyor systems shown comprise a first conveyor system, a second conveyor system, and a transfer unit. The first conveyor comprises two spaced-apart belts arranged to rotate between an input and an output. The belts used may have a circular cross-section.

[0006] US 3759188 A (WOODS H) shows conveyor systems with rollers that can operate as separating rollers by accelerating and / or decelerating the successive rollers.

[0007] State-of-the-art systems for conveying tampon applicators in a production line are known. Common solutions involve conveying the tampons via conveyor belts after an initial sorting step. To prevent individual tampon applicators from falling off the conveyor belt, such solutions are provided with lateral guidance. Furthermore, the conveyor belts take up a large volume in the production lines. Intermediate stations for sorting the unsorted tampon applicators must also be provided. Tampon applicators generally have to be fed into the assembly line in a specific orientation. Since the tampon applicators usually arrive in the assembly line as loose goods from the injection molding process, the tampon applicators, which are randomly oriented on the first conveyor belt, must be brought into a uniform orientation.With high-quality materials, there's also a risk of damage to the tampon applicators due to the side barriers. Individual tampon applicators can also become entangled with others. Separation on such conveyor belts is complex and error-prone. A misaligned applicator can bring the entire assembly unit to a standstill.

[0008] There is therefore a need for devices and methods for conveying and feeding tampon applicators in an applicator-tampon production line, which can be operated efficiently and enable gentle handling of the applicators. Description of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least one disadvantage of the known device. In particular, a conveying device for tampon applicators and a method for conveying tampon applicators are to be provided that meets the high requirements of continuous loading of tampon applicators while enabling gentle handling of the tampon applicators.

[0010] This object was achieved with a conveying device for tampon applicators and a method for conveying tampon applicators according to the characterizing part of the independent claims.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to a conveyor device for tampon applicators. The conveyor device according to the invention has a first conveyor track. This conveyor track further comprises two transport belts arranged at a distance from one another, each with a bearing axis, in particular a common bearing axis.

[0012] The conveyor device further comprises a first conveyor drive for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart conveyor belts. The conveyor belts are arranged at a distance from one another such that a tampon applicator to be conveyed rests on both conveyor belts in a space between the conveyor belts. The conveyor device according to the invention is further designed such that the bearing axes of the conveyor belts of a conveyor track are arranged in parallel. In particular, all bearing axes of the conveyor belts of a conveyor track and / or of all conveyor tracks which convey in the same conveying direction are arranged in parallel. In particular, all bearing axes of the conveyor tracks which convey in the same conveying direction are arranged in parallel. Particularly preferably, all bearing axes which are arranged in parallel are driven by a common conveyor drive.

[0013] The conveyor system according to the invention enables the conveying of tampon applicators in a way that is particularly gentle on the conveyed applicators. Due to the contact with the two belts, there is essentially no sliding friction with the conveying medium, which is particularly gentle on the product, especially with high-quality materials. Furthermore, the conveyor system according to the invention can be installed in a particularly space-saving manner, as the individual conveyor tracks are only slightly wider than the tampon applicators to be conveyed. The entire system is also particularly easy to maintain. Any abrasion and dirt falls between the individual conveyor belts, so that the conveyed tampon applicators are not affected by dust and abrasion.The use of conveyor belts also makes the system easier to install and maintain, as tensioning conveyor belts is less complex than setting up conveyor belts. The conveyor system according to the invention can also be modularly adapted to the specific feed requirements of a subsequent assembly station with parallel conveyor tracks. The conveyor tracks can be arranged parallel to each other not only horizontally, but also stacked vertically and diagonally.

[0014] For the purposes of the present invention, the conveyor belts are preferably circumferentially arranged, closed, round belts. However, in special embodiments, conveyor belts can also be provided that do not have a round cross-section, but rather have a substantially radially symmetrical cross-section.

[0015] The conveyor belts can preferably be made of a plastic material, particularly preferably a polyurethane plastic. The conveyor belts are particularly preferably made of an elastic plastic. The use of elastic conveyor belts, especially round belts, eliminates the need for complex tensioning, such as is required in conveyor belts. The round belts can be tensioned, for example, using tension rollers.

[0016] For the purposes of the present invention, two conveyor belts arranged at a distance from one another can be understood as any arrangement in which there is no physical contact between the two conveyor belts in question over their entire longitudinal axis. This can exist from a minimal gap, e.g. from 1 mm, up to a gap in which a tampon applicator just rests without falling through. The gap is preferably between 1 mm and 15 mm, particularly preferably between 2 mm and 13 mm, further preferably between 4 mm and 8 mm, in particular 7.5 mm. In a further particular embodiment, a center point distance between the center point of the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a first conveyor belt and the corresponding center point of the parallel arranged conveyor belt is essentially 13 mm.

[0017] For the purposes of the present invention, a tampon applicator to be conveyed resting on both conveyor belts can be understood as meaning that said tampon applicator makes at least one physical contact with each of the two conveyor belts. Depending on the geometry of the tampon applicator to be conveyed, this can mean that each of the two conveyor belts can have more than one physical contact with the tampon applicator. For example, tampon applicators that have a recessed grip can have multiple physical contacts with a conveyor belt. For the purposes of the present invention, a conveyor drive can be understood as a drive that is suitable for driving the conveyor belts along a conveying direction on its bearing axis.

[0018] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor drive comprises a drive, at least one drive shaft, and at least one conveyor roller. In a particular embodiment, the bearing axis can be designed as a drive shaft that drives the conveyor roller. The drive can be implemented, for example, via a servo motor.

[0019] In a special embodiment, the conveyor drive comprises exactly one drive for all conveyor tracks that travel in the same direction, one drive shaft, and one conveyor roller per conveyor track. This allows a single drive to drive all conveyor tracks arranged with parallel bearing axes.

[0020] The conveyor system according to the invention makes it possible to comply with stricter hygiene regulations in a manufacturing process for tampon applicators. Overall, the use of conveyor belts results in negligible abrasion.

[0021] For the purposes of the present invention, the bearing axis can be understood as the bearing axis provided substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of a conveyor belt. Preferably, the bearing axis is simultaneously the rotational axis of a revolving roller over which the conveyor belt is guided.

[0022] In a particularly preferred embodiment, one of the bearing axes of a conveyor belt is also the drive shaft via which the conveyor drive drives the conveyor belt.

[0023] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention can be configured with additional rollers to maintain tension on the conveyor belt. Particularly preferably, the additional rollers are configured in parallel for both conveyor belts of a conveyor track.

[0024] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor belts have a plurality of bearing axes, each of which represents the rotational axes of the revolving rollers over which the conveyor belts are guided. Particularly preferably, all bearing axes of a first conveyor belt are parallel to the bearing axes of the second conveyor belt.

[0025] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bearing axes of the first conveyor belt are concentric with the bearing axes of the second conveyor belt.

[0026] In a further particularly preferred embodiment, the transport belts each share revolving rollers.

[0027] In a special embodiment, the conveying device according to the invention allows the gap to be adjusted to the dimensions of a tampon applicator to be transported. The gap is optimally selected so that the tampon applicator rests on both conveyor belts and is guided laterally.

[0028] Particularly preferably, the tampon applicator rests on a first conveyor belt in a region between 3 and 6 o'clock. Accordingly, the tampon applicator rests on the second conveyor belt in a region between 6 and 9 o'clock. This orientation is understood to be relative to the rotational axis of the tampon applicator.

[0029] Particularly preferably, the tampon applicator lies in an area between 4 and 5 o'clock on the first transport belt, and in an area between 7 and 8 o'clock on the second transport belt.

[0030] In a special embodiment, the conveyor track is designed so that the gap between the conveyor belts is adjustable. For this purpose, the conveyor belts can be arranged, for example, toward or away from each other along their bearing axis and secured by means of a locking device. This can be particularly helpful for optimally accommodating different applicator dimensions, e.g., with a contact area as described above.

[0031] In a particular embodiment, the conveying device according to the invention comprises an orientation unit arranged downstream of the first conveying track for rotating a supplied tampon applicator from a first orientation to a second orientation.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, the orientation unit downstream of the first conveyor track is designed such that it transfers a conveying direction of a supplied tampon applicator from a first conveying direction to a second conveying direction, in particular simultaneously with the rotation of the supplied tampon applicator from the first orientation to the second orientation.

[0033] In the aforementioned orientation units for tampon applicators, only the orientation of the applicator on a conveyor belt is changed, which continues to run in the same conveying direction after rotation. The simultaneous rotation and change of the conveying direction with the orientation unit according to the invention allows the entire conveyor system to be installed in a more space-saving manner. A plurality of conveyor tracks running parallel to one another and / or vertically offset can be arranged with adapted conveying speeds in a comparatively small space. The conveying speed can be adapted to the length of a conveyor track in order to accommodate the geometry of a shorter conveyor track located inside a rotation.

[0034] For the purposes of the present invention, the orientation of a tampon applicator on the conveyor track is determined in relation to the conveying direction of the conveyor track. Tampon applicators have a distal head end and a proximal end. The proximal end serves to attach a plunger, which, during operation, is responsible for ejecting the tampon from a tampon applicator through the distal head end by pushing it into a sleeve-shaped cavity. Whether the distal head end or the proximal end is at the front with respect to the conveying direction plays a subordinate role for the concept of the present invention. However, uniform orientation is crucial for the further processing of tampon applicators, at the latest at the loading station. Since in most cases the tampon applicators are initially sorted into the conveyor system as loose goods, they arrive on the conveyor track in different orientations.With the conveying device according to the invention, comprising a downstream orientation unit, it can be ensured that in further downstream conveying tracks or in subsequent process steps all tampon applicators have a specific orientation.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the downstream orientation unit comprises a housing chamber into which the first conveyor track opens in such a way that a tampon applicator transported thereon is conveyed into this housing chamber by the movement of the conveyor belts.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the orientation unit comprises a detector for detecting the first orientation and / or the second orientation of a supplied tampon applicator. Within the meaning of the present invention, a detector can be designed in particular to detect a distal head end or a proximal end of a tampon applicator. In a particular embodiment, this can take place through optical detection, in which a camera records the approaching tampon applicators and a computer-assisted image analysis is carried out, which detects the orientation of this tampon applicator. Depending on the detected orientation, the orientation unit can, for example, be instructed to perform a rotation in one or the other direction.

[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the orientation unit is designed and arranged in the conveyor device such that it always performs a rotation, but selects the direction of rotation such that the subsequent conveying operation always continues in a specific orientation for all fed tampon applicators. For this purpose, the orientation unit can be configured to perform a rotation by a specific angle, depending on the orientation of the fed tampon applicator.

[0038] An optical detector can be used to safely and reliably detect the orientation of a tampon applicator in a space-saving manner. Alternatively, detectors that detect the orientation of a tampon applicator haptically, piezoelectrically, or electromagnetically are also conceivable for this particular embodiment.

[0039] In a particular embodiment, the detector is designed to monitor a single conveyor track and detect the orientation of the tampon applicators being fed along it. Alternatively or additionally, a detector can be provided that monitors a series of parallel conveyor tracks arranged side by side or one above the other and either analyzes individual image sections with computer support and / or analyzes an overall image and, accordingly, triggers the subsequent rotational movement for all orientation units controlled by this detector via a control computer.

[0040] In a special embodiment, the detector is housed in the housing chamber of the orientation unit.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the detector is an optical detector which monitors the conveyor track by means of a light beam, in particular a laser, and thus detects the orientation of a supplied tampon applicator.

[0042] In a particular embodiment, the orientation unit is arranged between two conveyor tracks arranged one behind the other in the conveying direction. This allows the orientation unit to rotate a tampon applicator conveyed in a first orientation by the first conveyor track into a second orientation for further conveyance on the second conveyor track.

[0043] In another special embodiment of this concept, the first conveyor track and the second conveyor track are arranged relative to each other so that they have different conveying directions. The orientation unit thus not only performs a step toward the correct orientation of a tampon applicator, but also enables the transfer of the tampon applicators from one conveying direction to another. This arrangement can be particularly advantageous when the spatial geometry for feeding the applicators needs to be optimally utilized.

[0044] In a particular embodiment, the first conveyor track is arranged on a first conveyor level, and at least one further conveyor track is arranged on at least a second conveyor level. A particular advantage of the present invention is that the space-saving conveyor tracks allow optimal use of the space for supplying the tampon applicators. This can be achieved, for example, by arranging several parallel conveyor tracks vertically and / or diagonally to one another. Thus, tampon applicators can be conveyed, so to speak, over several floors, which can enable an overall higher applicator supply for the downstream loading device.

[0045] In a particular embodiment, the orientation unit comprises a rotating element for receiving a tampon applicator. In its simplest embodiment, such a rotating element can be designed as a turntable. Preferably, however, the rotating element is designed as a turnstile and mounted in the orientation unit such that it can be rotated between at least two orientations. Preferably, the turnstile is always aligned between two conveyor tracks such that a turnstile opening always opens into the longitudinal direction of the conveyor track, so that a tampon applicator conveyed thereon can be inserted into the turnstile. During operation, the turnstile would detect the orientation of the supplied tampon applicator using a detector and, depending on the orientation, perform a rotational movement in a specific direction and at a specific angle.By designing a turnstile in the orientation unit, it can be used to its full capacity, and only a comparatively small angle needs to be bridged.

[0046] In a particular embodiment, the orientation unit comprises a base plate. The base plate has a recess through which a tampon applicator in a specific second orientation can move along its longitudinal extent. For example, a rotated tampon applicator, once in the corresponding orientation, can fall through the recess and directly onto a second conveyor track, where it is further moved along a second conveying direction.

[0047] The base plate can be fixedly arranged in the orientation unit, allowing a rotating element to be mounted rotatably above it, allowing tampon applicators to be rotated from a first orientation, in which they cannot fall through the recess, to a second orientation, in which the tampon applicators can fall through the recess. This eliminates the need for, for example, a specific ejector or other device that guides the tampon applicators from the orientation unit back onto the conveyor track.

[0048] The recess can be designed to substantially correspond to the shape of a tampon applicator. In particular, the recess is configured as an elongated slot through which a tampon applicator fits along its broad axis. If the orientation unit is used to additionally accomplish a 90-degree rotation in the conveying direction, the recess on the base plate is aligned at a 90-degree angle to the first conveyor track. In operation, a tampon applicator conveyed through the first conveyor track into the orientation unit would find itself in a turnstile. This turnstile rotates the tampon applicator through a 90-degree angle, depending on the detected orientation, and after the orientation of the tampon applicator has been changed by the corresponding angle, it would fall through the recess onto a second conveyor track arranged below the orientation unit.

[0049] In a particular embodiment, the conveying device according to the invention comprises a plurality of conveyor tracks. It can have a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks, as described above, and / or additionally a plurality of subsequent conveyor tracks. The conveyor tracks can be aligned horizontally, i.e. such that a conveyed tampon applicator does not cover any difference in height while being conveyed on a conveyor track. However, they can also be slightly to moderately inclined, so that the conveyed tampon applicator performs an overall downward or upward movement while being conveyed along a conveyor track. It is helpful to take the friction coefficients of the conveyor belts into account. The inclination is preferably selected such that the conveyed tampon applicator remains stationary relative to the conveyor belt due to static friction while being conveyed.

[0050] The conveyor device according to the invention, and in particular the parallel bearing axes, allows for a particularly space-saving arrangement of a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks. The conveyor tracks can then form an angle with subsequent conveyor tracks. These subsequent conveyor tracks can be of different lengths than the first parallel conveyor tracks. All parallel conveyor tracks can be designed to have parallel bearing axes. They are particularly preferably driven by a single shaft.

[0051] In a particular embodiment, two conveyor tracks arranged one behind the other form an angle to each other. The angle is particularly preferably between 30 and 120 degrees, particularly preferably substantially 90 degrees.

[0052] For the purposes of the present invention, a 90-degree angle is essentially achieved when a deviation from 90 degrees does not exceed + / -5 degrees. It goes without saying that any orientation unit that enables the corresponding rotation between two conveyor tracks arranged at an angle to one another can be designed to compensate for a corresponding angular deviation. However, an angle of exactly 90 degrees is preferably included, since this merely specifies the direction of a rotational movement of the orientation unit, and the rotated angle is fixed. As clearly described, the corresponding direction of rotation can be determined based on the orientation of a supplied tampon applicator.

[0053] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor belts are radially symmetrical in cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, particularly preferably round. An example of such a belt is a round belt. However, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, etc., belts are also conceivable for the implementation of the present invention.

[0054] Round belts ensure optimal positioning of a tampon applicator in the space between the conveyor belts. Furthermore, the conveyor belts can be guided more efficiently, and the load from tension on the belt cross-section is more evenly distributed, which can lead to less wear.

[0055] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor belts according to the invention are round belts that run over rollers. Such belts are very precise and easy to maintain. The conveyor drive can be designed as a head drive on one end of the conveyor track. However, a center drive is also conceivable. The conveyor belts can be supported by rollers or by slide rails, which offer particularly low friction. The rollers can be provided with corresponding guide grooves for the conveyor belts. These grooves, when correctly tensioned, also provide adequate lateral guidance for the conveyor belts.

[0056] Additional tension rollers can be provided, which exert a certain tension on a conveyor track by means of a restoring force in order to always ensure lateral guidance for the transported tampon applicators.

[0057] The conveyor drive of the conveyor device can be designed in such a way that it enables continuous acceleration and deceleration of the conveyor belt.

[0058] The conveying device according to the invention comprises at least one separating roller, which is arranged on the conveyor track such that it engages in a gap between the two spaced-apart transport belts. This separating roller can, for example, be designed to rotate at a speed higher than the conveying speed of the respective conveyor track. This allows, for example, two interlocked tampon applicators to be separated from each other during operation. The roller grips the first tampon and accelerates it away from the second tampon for a short time at a speed faster than the conveying direction of the conveyor track.

[0059] Alternatively and / or additionally, the conveying device according to the invention can be implemented entirely without a separate separating roller. For example, two consecutively arranged conveyor tracks can be operated at different speeds. If a first tampon applicator moves from the first conveyor track, which is moving at a first conveying speed, to the second conveyor track, which is moving at a second speed that is, for example, higher than the speed of the first conveyor track, it is accelerated away by a second tampon applicator that may be interlocked with the first tampon applicator. This allows separation without the need for additional separation elements.

[0060] In a particular embodiment, at least one separating roller is arranged upstream of the orientation unit in the conveying direction, so that the tampon applicators are conveyed individually to the orientation unit.

[0061] In a particular embodiment of the conveyor system according to the invention, several consecutively arranged conveyor tracks with different conveyor speeds are provided. For example, an irregularity in the feed of tampon applicators from the loose material can be compensated for by different conveyor speeds separating the tampon applicators along the entire conveyor track, enabling a more synchronized feed.

[0062] In a particular embodiment, the conveyor device according to the invention comprises at least one stopper. This is arranged on the conveyor track such that it engages in a gap between two spaced-apart conveyor belts. This demonstrates a further advantage of the device according to the invention with the spaced-apart conveyor belts. Such a stopper can be used, for example, in a buffer area of ​​the conveyor device when several tampon applicators must be prepared for a subsequent processing step, e.g., a loading step. For example, appropriate frequencies of tampon applicator feeds can be enabled by equipping a series of parallel conveyor tracks with appropriate stoppers that ensure a specific frequency.

[0063] In a particular embodiment, a conveyor track according to the invention, which is intended to serve as a buffer, comprises a plurality of stoppers. Furthermore, stop detectors can be provided, for example, which detect whether a tampon applicator has been picked up and further processed by a subsequent processing station. If a certain tampon applicator has reached one end of a conveyor device according to the invention, for example, a detector can be provided which detects this tampon applicator as parked and transmits a signal to an upstream stopper, which stops a supplied tampon applicator. This buffer area can be equipped with a plurality of such stoppers. Such a conveyor track designed as a buffer preferably has at least one stopper and at least one detector, preferably between one and 15 stoppers.Of course, several parallel conveyor tracks can be designed as a buffer zone and equipped with appropriate stoppers.

[0064] In a special embodiment, the stopper is designed as a lever which moves into the space between two conveyor belts and thus physically prevents a tampon applicator from moving further in the conveying direction.

[0065] In a special embodiment, the conveyor belt of a conveyor track designed for buffering can be provided with friction-reducing coatings so that a stopped tampon applicator is not affected by the friction of the continuing conveyor belt. Alternatively or additionally, the conveyor belt of a conveyor track designed for buffering can be made of a low-friction plastic.

[0066] In a particular embodiment, the conveying device according to the invention comprises at least one ejector for conveying a tampon applicator from one end of the conveyor track to a subsequent processing unit, in particular a downstream orientation unit. The ejector is then arranged on the conveyor track in such a way that it engages in a gap between the two spaced-apart conveyor belts.

[0067] In a special embodiment, the conveyor drive drives the conveyor belts via a shaft which is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axes of the conveyor belts.

[0068] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for conveying tampon applicators. In particular, this method is carried out using a conveying device as described above. The method according to the invention comprises a series of steps. First, at least one tampon applicator, in particular a loose batch of tampon applicators, is provided. The tampon applicators are fed onto a first conveyor track. This track has two transport belts arranged at a distance from one another, so that a tampon applicator to be conveyed rests on both transport belts in a space between the transport belts. The tampon applicator is then conveyed along the conveyor track in a first conveying direction.

[0069] The tampon applicators can be fed in, for example, via a hopper which has a corresponding passage to place individual tampon applicators onto the conveyor track by means of a track.

[0070] In a particular embodiment, the tampon applicator is conveyed by a first conveyor track at a first conveying speed in the conveying direction.

[0071] In another particular embodiment, the tampon applicator is transferred from the first conveyor track to a second conveyor track, wherein the second conveyor track moves the tampon applicator in the conveying direction at a second conveying speed. This second conveying speed may be different from the first conveying speed; preferably, it is higher than the first conveying speed.

[0072] In a particular embodiment, a tampon applicator is transferred from a first orientation to a second orientation between two conveyor tracks by an orientation unit. This step can be preceded by a prior detection of an orientation via a detector.

[0073] In a special embodiment, the rotation of the tampon applicator depends on its detected orientation. The rotation can occur in two directions. If the tampon applicator is already correctly aligned upon detection, i.e. a first orientation suitable for further processing is detected, a rotation of 90 degrees from a first conveyor track to a second conveyor track takes place. If it is determined that the tampon applicator enters the orientation unit in the opposite orientation, a rotational movement opposite to the first rotational movement is also performed by 90 degrees. This also rotates through a 90-degree angle, but the end that was originally at the front in the conveying direction is now at the rear in the conveying direction.

[0074] In a particular embodiment, a row of tampon applicators is moved along a series of parallel conveyor tracks toward another processing station, in particular a pick-and-place station. The conveyor tracks directly upstream of the pick-and-place station are designed as buffer tracks and have a series of stops that stop tampon applicators and prevent them from moving further along the conveyor track by extending into the space between the conveyor belts. This step can be controlled by stop detectors that determine whether a subsequent processing station is free and / or whether a downstream buffer zone is occupied by a tampon applicator.

[0075] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for operating a conveyor device as described above.

[0076] For a person skilled in the art, it is self-evident from the particular embodiments that these can occur in any combination in an embodiment according to the invention, provided that they do not exclude one another.

[0077] In the following, the present invention will be explained in more detail using specific embodiments and figures, without, however, being limited to these. Character description

[0078] The figures illustrate the present invention in a schematic manner, wherein, for the sake of simplicity, like parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0079] They show schematically: Fig. 1 shows a tampon applicator as it can be conveyed using the conveying device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a section of a conveying device according to the invention; Fig. 3 shows a further section of a conveying device according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows an orientation unit; Fig. 5 shows a further section of a conveying device according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a cross-section through a conveyor belt with a tampon applicator resting thereon; Fig. 7 shows a stopper for a conveying device according to the invention; and Fig. 8 shows the functioning of an orientation unit. Implementation of the invention

[0080] The Fig. 1shows an example of a tampon applicator 100, as can be conveyed with the device according to the invention. The tampon applicator 100 is essentially constructed in two parts. It consists of a tampon body and a plunger 103. The plunger 103 is arranged in the tampon applicator 100 such that it can be moved along the longitudinal axis 101. The tampon applicator 100 has a distal head end 104 with a head opening. Opposite this end is the proximal thread opening 105 of the plunger 103, which is designed as a tube.

[0081] The tampon body is divided into three sections. At the distal head end 104 are incised wings designed as petals 102.1. These extend into the sleeve body 102.2, which defines a tampon cavity. Directly adjacent to the sleeve body 102.2 is a gripping section 102.3, which in the present example also serves to guide the plunger 103. The sleeve body 102 serves to hold a tampon; in conventional loading procedures, the tampon is loaded into the tampon applicator via the distal head end 104. The proximal thread opening 105 serves to guide the removal thread to the outside. During operation, the plunger 103 is pushed into the cavity of the sleeve body 102.2, whereby the tampon is ejected through the distal head opening 104. The retrieval thread can be held back.

[0082] For the present invention, one aspect of the conveyor system relates to the orientation of the tampon applicator at the end of the conveyor system. Whether the distal head end 104 or the proximal end 105 is at the front in the conveying direction is of secondary importance and is determined by the manner in which the subsequent loading unit operates. What is more important is that all tampon applicators 100 arrive at the end of the conveyor line in a specific orientation. Due to the geometry of the tampon applicators, it can happen that individual petals become entangled with subsequent or preceding tampon applicators, i.e., their proximal head openings or distal ends. For most loading stations, it is therefore advantageous if the tampon applicators are provided as individually as possible in a controlled feed at the end of the conveyor system.

[0083] To make this possible, a conveyor device 1 shown as an example is in the Fig. 2 shown schematically. The conveyor device 1 shown has a total of four parallel conveyor tracks 2 in a first conveying direction F.1. After a rotation of essentially 90 degrees, the tampon applicators 100 continue in a second conveying direction F.2. On the conveyor tracks 2, the tampon applicators 100, 100.1, 100.2 rest between two conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2. The diameter and spacing of the conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 are selected such that they allow a tampon applicator 100.1, 100.2, 100 to rest in such a way that it rests on both conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 with at least one contact surface.

[0084] The example of a conveyor system 1 shown operates with tampon applicators 100, 100.1, 100.2, which have an outer diameter of 15 mm and a total length of 75 mm. The conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 have a diameter of 7.5 mm and are made of PU plastic.

[0085] The tampon applicators can be fed to the conveyor as loose material, whereby a separation station or a hopper can be provided to bring the tampon applicators onto the conveyor tracks (not shown). In the present example, the tampon applicators have already been separated on the upstream conveyor track 2 (in the Fig. 1 not shown).

[0086] During their conveyance in the first conveying direction F.1, the individual tampon applicators 100, 100.1, 100.2 pass a detector 9 on all conveyor tracks, which optically detects the orientation of a tampon applicator 100, 100.1, 100.2. In the present example, a first tampon applicator 100.1 with a first orientation A reaches the detector, and an exemplary second tampon applicator 100.2 with a second orientation B reaches a detector. In the present example, the two tampon applicators 100.1, 100.2 are shown with opposite orientations on two parallel conveyor tracks. Of course, the tampon applicators can be fed in both possible orientations on all first conveyor tracks, as can be seen from the Fig.2 visible.

[0087] If the first orientation A corresponds to the desired orientation on the second conveying direction F.2, a corresponding signal is sent from the detector 9 to a subsequent orientation unit 8 that the respective tampon applicator 100.1 should be rotated in a first direction of rotation Z.1.

[0088] If a tampon applicator 100.2 with the second orientation B reaches a detector 9, the detector instructs the downstream orientation unit 8 to rotate in a second rotation direction Z.2. Since the orientation units 8 in the present example rotate the conveying direction F.1 by 90 degrees to the conveying direction F.2, a rotation of 90 degrees is sufficient in both cases to enable further conveying in the desired orientation A. In the present example, the conveying direction is changed simultaneously with the orientation of the tampon applicators, from the first conveying direction F.1 to the second conveying direction F.2, which runs at right angles to the first.

[0089] For the purpose of changing the orientation and simultaneously changing the conveying direction, in this example, the orientation unit 8 is equipped with a turnstile into which a tampon applicator 100, 100.1, 100.2 is inserted. A 90-degree rotation of the turnstile is sufficient, and the orientation unit 8 is ready to receive the next tampon applicator 100, 100.1, 100.2. This enables an overall economical process with the greatest possible throughput.

[0090] The turnstile of the orientation unit 8 is designed to be rotatable about a central rotation axis Z in two directions Z.1, Z.2.

[0091] An alternative or supplementary embodiment is described in the Fig. 3 This arrangement as a conveyor device can be used, for example, as the conveyor device of the Fig. 2 be connected upstream or as a continuation in the second conveying direction F.2 to the conveying device of the Fig. 2connect. In the present example, a total of four conveyor tracks are shown. Two first conveyor tracks, which are arranged parallel to one another, are followed by two subsequent conveyor tracks. These conveyor tracks differ from one another in that they run over separate rollers 4.1, 4.2. In the present example, the first, parallel conveyor tracks are driven by a first conveyor drive 4.1 via a head roller. In the present example, it is of secondary importance whether the head roller is driven at the beginning of the conveyor section or at the end of the conveyor section. For the sake of the example, in the present embodiment the head roller is driven at the beginning of the first conveyor track. Accordingly, in the present example the head roller can also be driven at the beginning of the second conveyor sections and conveyor tracks.

[0092] An advantage of this conveyor device 1 is that it can also be used to separate the tampon applicators. In the first conveyor section 2.1, the conveyor tracks are driven at a first conveyor speed V1, and in a second conveyor section 2.2, the conveyor tracks are driven at a second conveyor speed V2. For optimal separation, the conveyor speed V2 is greater than the conveyor speed V1. In the space between the two conveyor tracks, any applicator that may be in contact with a preceding tampon applicator or a following tampon applicator is physically separated from it by the acceleration. In the present example, the first conveyor speed V1 is 0.2 m / s and the second conveyor speed V2 is 0.3 m / s.

[0093] According to the invention, separation takes place via a corresponding separation roller, which engages between the two transport belts 3.1, 3.2 at a certain rotation speed and thus accelerates a tampon applicator away (in the Fig. 3 not shown).

[0094] The space-saving arrangement with conveyor belt-based, especially round belt-based, conveyor tracks allows for numerous advantageous geometries. The conveyor tracks are, as shown in the Fig. 3 Illustrated, they are easily assembled in modular fashion. Depending on whether the conveyor speeds V1 and V2 need to differ, the corresponding drive shafts can be split for conveyor tracks arranged in parallel and with the same conveyor speed, which also benefits the space-saving design.

[0095] In the Fig. 3The axes 15 of the conveyor tracks are parallel. A conveyor drive can act directly on drive shafts in the axes 15 via a belt drive, thus driving the head roller 4.2.

[0096] In the Fig. 4An orientation unit 8 is shown schematically. To illustrate its mode of operation, the orientation unit 8 has just been equipped with a tampon applicator 100.1 in a first orientation A. For this purpose, the tampon applicator has been pushed into a receiving opening of a rotating element 10 via the transport belts 3.1, 3.2 of a conveyor track with a first conveying direction F.1 and a first drive roller 4.1. The rotating element 10 is designed as a turnstile. The second conveyor track is located below the orientation unit 8 and is driven by a second drive roller 4.2, and also has two transport belts 3.1, 3.2, whereby, by way of example, a second tampon applicator 100.2 is already being conveyed further on this in a second conveying direction F.2. This was made possible by the rotating element 10 performing a 90-degree rotation and, after completing this 90-degree rotation, the tampon applicator 100.2 with its longitudinal axis aligned parallel to the second conveying direction F.2.

[0097] A receiving opening provided on a base plate ensures that this second tampon applicator 100.2 can fall through and fall directly onto the conveyor track of the second conveying direction F.2 and is conveyed away in this conveying direction.

[0098] Optionally, a detector can be incorporated into this arrangement. For example, an optical sensor can be provided at the entrance to the receiving opening of the rotating element 10, which detects the orientation of the inserted tampon applicator.

[0099] In a complex embodiment with a plurality of conveyor tracks, the available space for conveying can be optimally utilized as an advantage of the present invention, which can be seen in the embodiment of a conveyor device 1 according to the invention in the Fig. 5is illustrated. In this example, too, the conveyor tracks 2 perform a total of a 90-degree turn from a first conveying direction F.1 to a second conveying direction F.2. However, in this specific example, the conveyor tracks 2 are arranged at different levels. Specifically, in the present example, the distal conveyor track in the image plane is arranged above the following conveyor tracks, up to the proximal conveyor track, which is arranged lowest.

[0100] The conveyor tracks of the first conveying direction F.1 are all arranged parallel to each other and lead into corresponding orientation units 8, which are also arranged parallel and follow the corresponding height stacking of the conveyor tracks of the first conveying direction F.1.

[0101] The orientation units 8 are equipped with a turnstile, which is rotatable about a rotation axis Z, and a housing 13, which enables initial guidance for the rotated tampon applicators 100.1, 100.2. The rotating elements 10 are arranged for rotation in a first rotation direction Z.1, or a second rotation direction Z.2 about the central rotation axis Z. The conveyor tracks are driven by conveyor drives 4.1, 4.2, which comprise bearing axes arranged in parallel for all conveyor tracks conveying in the same conveying direction F.1, F.2. The direction of rotation is determined by the desired orientation of the tampon applicators on the second conveying direction F.2. A detector (in the Fig. 5The tampon applicator (not shown) detects the orientation of the incoming tampon applicators 100.1, 100.2 and rotates them by 90 degrees in the first rotation direction Z.1, or the second rotation direction Z.2. In the present example, the tampon applicators 100.1, 100.2 are rotated into the orientation in which the distal proximal end of the tampon applicator 100.1 is at the front in the conveying direction.

[0102] In the Fig. 6a conveyor track 2 is shown in cross-section with a tampon applicator 100 resting thereon. The tampon applicator 100 has a tampon body 102, which defines a lumen into which the tampon can be placed. The plunger 103, which can be inserted into this lumen in the absence of a tampon, has a smaller diameter than the tampon body 102. The plunger 103 has a smaller diameter than the tampon body 102 and can be inserted into this lumen in the absence of a tampon. The entire tampon applicator 100 is essentially rotationally symmetrical about a central longitudinal axis 101. It rests on two conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 of the conveyor belt. It contacts both conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 and extends into a space D between the conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 in such a way that it has a lateral guide in addition to the support.

[0103] In this example, this contact area lies between 4 and 5 o'clock and 7 and 8 o'clock.

[0104] The Fig. 7shows a possible embodiment with the functioning of a stopper 6. The stopper is capable of engaging a gap D between the conveyor belts 3.1, 3.2 via a stopper head 6.1 in such a way that it prevents further conveyance of the tampon applicator 100 in the conveying direction F. For this purpose, it can be provided with a stopper actuator 14, which can receive a corresponding signal from a detector and thus interrupt the feed.

[0105] In operation, in a conveyor device according to the invention, as in the Fig. 8As shown, a feed 200 can take place on a first conveyor track with a specific orientation. A detector checks whether the corresponding orientation corresponds to the desired orientation. Depending on whether the desired orientation corresponds, a rotation in a first rotation direction 210 or a rotation in a second rotation direction 220 is performed before the tampon applicator is transferred to a second conveyor track with a second conveying direction 230.

[0106] In an embodiment according to the invention, several of the above-mentioned concepts can be implemented in one conveyor device. For example, a conveyor device according to the invention can comprise a total of four parallel conveyor tracks in the first conveying direction, which are connected to a subsequent row of four likewise parallel conveyor tracks with different conveying speeds. These in turn guide the tampon applicators into four orientation units, which correct the corresponding orientation, as described above. These then in turn reach a row of four conveyor tracks, which have a second conveying direction, which can be rotated by 90 degrees from the first. This second row opens into a buffer area, which is equipped with a series of stoppers and detectors to control the feed of the sorted and oriented tampon applicators to the next processing station, e.g. a loading unit.

[0107] The conveying device according to the invention and the corresponding method provide a modularly applicable system for conveying tampon applicators, which is efficient and enables a safe and hygienic process for scalable processing quantities.

[0108] It is self-evident to a person skilled in the art that further advantageous embodiments result from the specific examples and concrete embodiments, which may constitute independent inventions. List of reference symbols

[0109] 1Conveyor system 2 Conveyor track 2.1 First conveyor section 2.2 Second conveyor section 3.1 First conveyor belt 3.2 Second conveyor belt 4 Conveyor drive 4.1 First conveyor drive 4.2 Second conveyor drive 6Stopper 6.1Stopper head 8Orientation unit 9Detector 10Rotating element 11Base plate 12Receiving opening 13Housing 14Stopper actuator 15Axis 16Shaft 100Tampon applicator 100.1First tampon applicator 100.2Second tampon applicator 101Longitudinal axis of the tampon applicator 102Tampon body 102.1Petal of the head opening 102.2Sleeve body 102.3Grip area 103Pushrod 104Distal end / head opening 105Proximal end / thread opening 200Feed on first conveyor Y / NOrientation B yes / no? 210Rotation in first direction 220Rotation in second direction 230Transfer to second conveyor AFirst orientation" BSecond orientation DSpace between conveyor belts FConveyor direction F.1First conveying direction F.2Second conveying direction LBearing axis ZRotation axis Z.1First direction of rotation Z.2Second direction of rotation V1First conveying speed V2Second conveying speed

Claims

1. A conveying apparatus (1) for tampon applicators (100), having a. a first conveyor track (2), comprising two transport belts (3.1, 3.2) which are arranged spaced apart from each other and each have a bearing axis (L1, L2); b. a first conveyor drive (4) for driving at least one of the two spaced-apart transport belts (3.1, 3.2), and wherein the transport belts (3.1, 3.2) are arranged spaced apart from each other in such a manner that a tampon applicator (100) which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts (3.1, 3.2) in an intermediate space (D) between the transport belts, and wherein the bearing axes (L1, L2) of the transport belts (3.1, 3.2) of a conveyor track are arranged parallel; in particular, all of the bearing axes (L1, L2) of the transport belts (3.1, 3.2) which convey in a same conveying direction (F.1, F.2) are arranged parallel, characterized by at least one separating roller, which is arranged on the conveyor track in such a manner that it engages in an intermediate space between the two spaced-apart transport belts (3.1, 3.2).

2. The conveying apparatus (1) as claimed in claim 1, furthermore comprising: a. an orientation unit (8) which is mounted downstream of the first conveyor track, for rotating a supplied tampon applicator (100) from a first orientation (A) into a second orientation (B).

3. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the orientation unit (8) is arranged between two consecutively arranged conveyor tracks (2) such that it is capable of rotating a tampon applicator (100), which is conveyed in a first orientation (A) to the orientation unit (8) by the first conveyor unit (2), into a second orientation (B) for further conveying on a second conveyor unit (2).

4. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the orientation unit (8) is also arranged between consecutively arranged conveyor tracks (2) in such a manner that it is capable of rotating a tampon applicator (100), which is conveyed in a first conveying direction (F.1) to the orientation unit (8) by the first conveyor unit (2), into a second conveying direction (F.2) for further conveying on a second conveyor unit (2).

5. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first conveyor track is arranged on a first conveying plane, and at least one further conveyor track is arranged on at least one second conveying plane.

6. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the orientation unit (8) furthermore comprises a rotary element (10) for receiving a tampon applicator (100), in particular a rotary element (10) which is configured as a turnstile and is mounted rotatably between at least two orientations.

7. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a plurality of conveyor tracks (2), in particular a plurality of parallel conveyor tracks (2) and / or comprising a plurality of conveyor tracks (2) arranged consecutively in the conveying direction.

8. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the plurality of parallel conveyor tracks (2) and / or the plurality of conveyor tracks (2) arranged consecutively in the conveying direction parallel bearing axes which are designed as drive shafts and can be driven in a manner coupled to a drive.

9. The conveying apparatus as claimed in claim 8, comprising at least two conveyor tracks (2) which are arranged consecutively in the conveying direction and enclose an angle with respect to one another, in particular enclose an angle of between 30° and between 120° with respect to one another.

10. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transport belts (3.1, 3.2) are symmetrical in cross section perpendicularly to their longitudinal axis, in particular are configured as round belts.

11. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 10, furthermore comprising at least one stopper (6) which is arranged on the conveyor track in such a manner that it engages in an intermediate space between the two spaced-apart transport belts (3.1, 3.2).

12. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least one ejector for conveying a tampon applicator from one end of a conveyor track into an adjoining processing unit, in particular an orientation unit mounted downstream, wherein the ejector is arranged on the conveyor track in such a manner that it engages in an intermediate space between the two spaced-apart transport belts (3.1, 3.2).

13. The conveying apparatus as claimed in one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the conveyor drive (4) drives the transport belts (3.1, 3.2) via a shaft (16) which is arranged parallel to the bearing axes (L1, L2) of said transport belts (3.1, 3.2).

14. A method of conveying tampon applicators (100), in particular with a conveying apparatus (1) as claimed in one of claims 1 to 13, comprising the steps of: a. providing at least one tampon applicator (100), in particular a loose article of tampon applicators (100); b. supplying tampon applicators (100) onto a first conveyor track (2) with two spaced-apart transport belts (3.1, 3.2) such that the tampon applicator (100) which is to be conveyed rests on the two transport belts (3.1, 2.2) in an intermediate space between the transport belts; c. conveying the tampon applicators (100) in a conveying direction.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein tampon applicators (100) are first of all conveyed on a first conveyor track (2) in a first conveying direction and are subsequently conveyed on a second conveyor track (2) in a second conveying direction.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein, between the first conveyor track (2) and the second conveyor track (2), a tampon applicator is rotated from a first orientation (A) into a second orientation (B), in particular by means of an orientation unit (8) mounted downstream of the first conveyor track.