Apparatus and method for packing tampons

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for packing, in particular packing in individual primary packages, digital tampons (100). The apparatus (1) comprises a first folding element (5) for forming a strip-like packaging material (116) to a substantially tubular wrapper (110') for tampons (100). The apparatus also comprises a first conveyor (2) for conveying individual tampons (100) in a direction of conveyance (A) into the folding element (5) in such a fashion that the tampons (100), upon leaving the folding element, are covered about their longitudinal axis by the substantially tubular wrapper (110') for tampons (100). The apparatus further comprises a separation element (10.1, 10.2) for separating individual covered tampons (100). The invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Description

[0001] Device and method for manufacturing tampons

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for the assembly, in particular for the individual packaging of tampons, as well as a corresponding method for the assembly, in particular for the individual packaging of tampons, in each case according to the preambles of the independent claims.

[0003] Technological background

[0004] Tampons, as defined in the present invention, are hygiene products used by women to absorb menstrual flow. Tampons are typically inserted with the finger or an applicator. Finger-inserted tampons are also called digital tampons and are individually wrapped for hygienic and practical reasons. Clear plastic films have become the standard choice for tampon packaging. These films snugly enclose the tampon and prevent the ingress of moisture and dirt. Since tampons are specifically designed to absorb moisture and are therefore highly hygroscopic, special attention must be paid to tampon packaging.

[0005] Since tampons, especially digital tampons, are produced in large quantities as consumer goods, there are efforts to increase output figures, which can be measured, for example, in units produced per minute. Continuous production devices and methods, such as those shown in WO2019 / 186325A1, can significantly increase the output of production lines. The solution presented therein discloses continuously operating transfer stations that continuously transfer the tampons and blanks between the processing drums without any stop-and-go movement. Such machines not only require less maintenance, they also enable continuous scaling and control of output.Accordingly, there is a need for downstream processing devices, particularly for the assembly, especially individual packaging of tampons, that can keep up with the high output rates. In common, previously known methods, the tampons are packaged by winding a film transversely to the longitudinal extent of the tampon. EP3165471 B1 discloses such a method, in which a strip of film is wrapped around a holding device by which the said tampon is confined. The method comprises a wrapping step in which the film is moved radially around the longitudinal extent of the tampon. Wrapping in such a method requires a tampon conveyor that is designed perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the tampons. Furthermore, the tampons must be fed individually into an apparently discretely operating packaging device.

[0006] There is therefore a need for devices and methods to increase output during the manufacturing, particularly individual packaging, of tampons, especially digital tampons.

[0007] Ideally, packaging is done in a way that ensures that the hygroscopic and compressed tampon fully or essentially fully retains its shape and water absorbency during the packaging step.

[0008] Description of the invention

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome at least one disadvantage of the known art. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a device or method as mentioned above, which is capable of keeping pace with continuous scaling of tampon production in the upstream process, e.g., in the winding and pressing of the tampon blanks. A further, particularly preferred object of the present invention is to provide a corresponding method which enables individual packaging or assembly of tampons while meeting the high hygiene requirements in tampon production.

[0010] At least one of these objects has been achieved with a device for packaging, in particular for the individual packaging of tampons according to the characterizing part of the independent claims, or according to the characterizing part of the independent method claims. One aspect of the present invention relates to a device for packaging, in particular for the individual packaging of tampons. The device according to the invention comprises a first folding element for forming a band-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve for tampons. The device further comprises a first conveyor device for conveying individual tampons in a conveying direction into the folding element such that the tampons are wrapped around their longitudinal axis by the substantially tubular packaging sleeve for tampons upon leaving the folding element.The device according to the invention further comprises a separating element for separating individual wrapped tampons.

[0011] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the folding element is designed to form the strip-shaped packaging material into a continuous, substantially tubular packaging wrapper for tampons. In this sense, an endless, substantially tubular packaging wrapper can be understood as a substantially tubular packaging wrapper that has not been cut to length. Cutting to length can, for example, take place in a subsequent step in the direction of travel of the strip.

[0012] For the purposes of the present invention, the shaping of a strip-shaped packaging material as described above can be understood as meaning that a strip-shaped packaging material, which can in particular be supplied in the form of an endless strip, is bent around a tampon to be packaged. For this purpose, for example, two longitudinal edges can be guided toward each other, resulting in, for example, a substantially tubular packaging sleeve.

[0013] In a particular embodiment, a separation element can be understood as a singulating element. For example, a produced individual unit consisting of a tampon and a band section of the band-shaped packaging material, which has been formed into a substantially tubular packaging wrapper around the tampon, can be singulated by separating it from the endless band. This creates, for example, a tubular section with a tampon wrapped within said tubular section.

[0014] In a particular embodiment, the conveying device, in particular the first conveying device, is designed to convey the tampons coaxially to their longitudinal axis. Particularly preferably, the conveying occurs with a uniform orientation, i.e., the tampons are each positioned in a specific orientation on the conveying device.

[0015] Tampons are typically cylindrical pellets made of absorbent fiber material with a tapered distal end and a proximal end. Common tampons also have a removal string extending from the proximal end, which is used to remove the inserted tampon.

[0016] For the purposes of the present invention, the individual packaging or assembly can be understood as the primary packaging of tampons, in particular digital tampons. Further packaging and assembly steps, such as packaging in boxes, bags, or other sales or transport units, can of course be provided subsequently.

[0017] In a particular embodiment, the first conveying device is a linear conveying device for conveying individual tampons in a conveying direction on a first conveying plane.

[0018] The device according to the invention enables tampons to be packaged continuously and provides a continuously scalable tampon packaging device that can meet high hygiene standards. Tampons can be conveyed along their longitudinal axis, eliminating the need for an additional reorientation step. Conveying along the longitudinal axis also allows the packaging wrapper—in the present example, the strip-shaped packaging material—to be provided as an endless strip, which can be separated or singulated after each individual tampon has been wrapped.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a second conveying device for guiding the tubular packaging sleeve for tampons with the wrapped tampons away from the folding element.

[0020] An advantage of this second conveyor device is that a carrier per tampon is not required, and conveying can take place via a further feed of the tubular packaging material, thus allowing the tampon wrapped therein to be conveyed simultaneously. The second conveyor device preferably has at least one conveyor belt. Particularly preferably, the second conveyor device has at least two conveyor belts arranged opposite one another, such that the tubular packaging sleeve with the tampons contained therein is essentially delimited by the conveyor belts. This can be advantageous so that the tampons retain their shape even in the sleeve, and the tubular sleeve retains its folded shape until an overlapping area is sealed.

[0021] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises a feed unit for feeding, in particular endlessly feeding, the band-shaped packaging material.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises at least one first sealing element for the preferably material-locking connection of an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging casing.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the first sealing element serves for the thermal and / or mechanical, in particular thermomechanical, connection of an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve. It is preferably a heating unit for thermally connecting an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve. Alternatively and / or additionally, the sealing element can comprise an ultrasonic unit for ultrasound-induced sealing of an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve. Likewise alternatively and / or additionally, the sealing element is a means for applying mechanical pressure for the mechanical connection of an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve.Further alternatively and / or additionally, the sealing element can comprise a laser unit for laser-induced sealing of an overlapping area of ​​the essentially tubular packaging sleeve by applying energy to the overlapping area. An advantage of these alternative and / or additional sealing elements is that the energy can be applied specifically to the overlapping area to be joined.

[0024] Furthermore, in particular, the first sealing element is adjusted by controlling at least one parameter from temperature, pressure and time during the application of energy for the cohesive connection of an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve such that the energy applied is just sufficient to create the cohesive bond without substantially influencing the enclosed tampon.

[0025] Alternatively and / or additionally, a sealing element can be omitted, and the strip-shaped packaging material can be provided with an adhesive area that forms a material-to-material bond in the overlapping area with the corresponding other edge side of the tubular packaging material. For this purpose, in a particular embodiment, a first sealing element can be provided, which exerts mechanical pressure on the overlapping area, thus enabling the material-to-material bond of an area provided with adhesive.

[0026] Alternatively and / or additionally, the material can be made sticky in the overlapping area by means of a solvent, for example by spraying a suitable solvent onto an overlapping area, which makes the plastic sticky and then bonds it firmly when the overlapping area is pressed together by means of a first sealing element.

[0027] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a first sealing element and a second sealing element. The second sealing element makes it possible to seal the essentially tubular packaging sleeve in a two-stage sealing step. This allows, for example, a particularly tight packaging of the tampon to be achieved, thus better protecting it from the penetration of moisture and dirt.

[0028] In a further particular embodiment, the first sealing element is designed for the lateral sealing of an overlap region, in particular an overlap region formed as a vertical flap. For example, an overlap region can be provided that forms from two side edges of the essentially tubular packaging sleeve when these are guided chirally against each other. In other words, this overlap region formed as a vertical flap can be formed by welding the essentially tubular packaging sleeve bent around the tampon with the two side edges that originally pointed upwards. This creates a vertical flap.In a particularly preferred embodiment, this is achieved by a sealing element that provides two vertically arranged sealing units. For example, a first sealing unit can be designed to be heatable, and a second sealing unit can be designed to generate counterpressure, i.e., as an anvil. The two sealing units, arranged vertically and opposite one another, can apply a force to the tab in its center for sealing, i.e., for a materially bonded connection.

[0029] Likewise, both sealing units of the first sealing element can be designed to be heatable. Alternatively and / or additionally, these can also provide one of the above-mentioned alternative forms of sealing to thermal sealing, such as the application of pressure, a solvent, an adhesive, ultrasound, or a combination thereof.

[0030] In a particular embodiment, the second sealing element is designed for a horizontal seal as described above. Particularly preferably, the second sealing element can be provided for sealing a fold. This fold can be formed, for example, from the already sealed flap created by the first sealing element by bending the vertical flap into a horizontal position. This creates a double-sealed seam, which can further significantly improve the tightness of the tampon packaging. For example, the second sealing element can have a geometry that bends the flap to the left or right, thus creating a fold.This bent-over area can be sealed by applying heat and / or other suitable energy or force, so that a double-sealed seam can be created at which the essentially tubular packaging sleeve can be formed.

[0031] An advantage of the sealing element according to the invention according to all the above-mentioned embodiments is that an entire edge of the band-shaped packaging material can be sealed on an endless belt or in a tube, thus eliminating the need to lower and remove a sealing tool. In other words, an advantage of this embodiment is that the sealing element can be provided statically in the processing line.

[0032] In a particular embodiment, a further heating unit is provided, which can be arranged downstream of the folding element in the conveying direction for shrinking the essentially tubular packaging sleeve. Suitable materials, such as polymer plastic films made of polyolefin or polypropylene or a mixture thereof, can be shrunk under the influence of heat. This can enable the packaging sleeve to fit particularly tightly against the tampon and preferably also facilitates the conveying of the tampons, for example by the spaces between two tampons in the essentially tubular packaging sleeve having a smaller diameter. The tampons thus do not slip within the packaging sleeve. Suitable elements are known to those skilled in the art. Heat tunnels can be particularly suitable.

[0033] In a particular embodiment, the first conveying device comprises a plurality of drivers, each for conveying a single tampon. The first conveying device is particularly preferably designed such that the tampons are conveyed individually. For this purpose, for example, drivers can be provided which move the individual tampons in the conveying direction along the conveying path of the first conveying device. For this purpose, the first conveying device particularly preferably comprises an engagement which enables the drivers to come into operative connection with the tampons. The engagement can, for example, be provided as a groove into which a driver arm of the driver can come into operative connection with the proximal end of the tampon. Particularly preferably, the first conveying device also has a thread control, in which the drivers have, for example, a suction channel which sucks in the withdrawal thread of the tampon during the conveying process so that it is essentially fixed.An advantage of this thread control is that damage, for example due to tangling or wear of the retrieval threads during conveying, is essentially prevented.

[0034] In a particular embodiment, the conveying device according to the invention comprises a limiting guide. This limiting guide is designed to limit expansion of the conveyed tampon transversely to the longitudinal extent. If tampons are pressed and fed as finished tampons to a packaging device according to the invention, it can be advantageous, for example, if expansion of the pressed tampons is prevented until final packaging. A limiting guide which is suitable for radially limiting the tampon so that it does not begin to expand before packaging, i.e. before it begins to expand in the tubular packaging material and is limited by this. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the limiting guide can be provided with an engagement which enables a driver to come into operative connection with the tampon and convey it in the conveying direction.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the limiting guide is designed as a C-guide, which has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional profile. The C-shape creates a groove into which the carriers can engage and individually convey the tampons.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the engagement is formed at the top relative to the conveying plane. Alternatively, the engagement can also be formed laterally, below, or at two points. Particularly preferably, the engagement has an engagement opening that has a span of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm, more particularly preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm. The engagement is particularly designed such that the driver can engage through the engagement opening into a lumen of the limiting guide, in particular the C-guide, and can come into operative connection with a tampon for conveying it.

[0036] In a particular embodiment, the limiting guide, in particular a C-guide, has an inner diameter in cross-section of between 7 mm and 25 mm, preferably between 9 mm and 14 mm. A person skilled in the art can select the inner diameter of the limiting guide, in particular a C-guide, such that it essentially corresponds to the expected final diameter or less of the tampon conveyed therein. Accordingly, in a particular embodiment, the limiting guide, in particular a C-guide, can be designed to be interchangeable in order to adapt the device according to the invention to the tampons to be packaged.

[0037] In a particular embodiment, the limiting guide, in particular the C-guide, is made of steel. The material is particularly preferably treated to minimize friction during the conveyance of the tampons.

[0038] Particularly preferably, the engagement opening is conical, narrowing toward the lumen. This can facilitate engagement by the driver and maximize the limiting effect on the conveyed tampon. Furthermore, the edges of the engagement opening are particularly preferably ground and / or rounded.

[0039] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a second conveyor device for conveying the tubular packaging sleeve for tampons with the wrapped tampons. Particularly preferably, the tampons stored in the packaging sleeve are conveyed further by conveying the sleeve. In a particular embodiment, the first folding element comprises a tampon receiving groove and a folding angle. Particularly preferably, the first folding element is designed to guide the endless band of band-shaped packaging material around a tampon such that the latter is essentially surrounded by a tubular packaging sleeve. For this purpose, the first folding element can comprise a feed for a band-shaped packaging material and a forming channel in which the band-shaped packaging material is bent with its two longitudinal edges around a tampon conveyed into the folding element, so that a sleeve with an overlapping region around the tampon is created.

[0040] Particularly preferably, the first folding element has a channel.

[0041] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a weakening unit for mechanically weakening the band-shaped packaging material. This weakening unit is particularly preferably arranged upstream of the folding element and downstream of the feed unit. Furthermore, this weakening element for mechanically weakening the band-shaped packaging material preferably comprises a perforation element for at least partially perforating the band-shaped packaging material. This can serve to provide a predetermined breaking point in the subsequently packaged tampon, which allows the user to tear open the packaging more easily. The perforation of the endless band-shaped packaging material creates a weakening in the tampon wrapper that is useful to the end user and allows the tampon to be unpacked more easily.

[0042] In an alternative and / or supplementary embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a weakening unit for weakening the strip-shaped packaging material, which provides laser perforation. Particularly preferably, the weakening unit is configured for layer-by-layer removal of the strip-shaped packaging material. For example, only individual layers of strip-shaped packaging material can be removed, thus forming a predetermined breaking point. An advantage of this technique would be that the packaging would still be completely sealed despite the predetermined breaking point.

[0043] In a particular embodiment, the strip-shaped packaging material has a multi-layer structure. For this purpose, the strip-shaped packaging material can be provided, for example, as a laminate of several layers that can be removed individually, for example, using a laser, leaving one or more layers. The material would then be sufficiently weakened at this point to form a predetermined breaking point for removing the tampon, while still completely enclosing the tampon in a substantially airtight and moisture-tight manner.

[0044] In a special embodiment, the carriers of the first conveyor device are conveyed by a chain.

[0045] In a special embodiment, the folding angle is designed as a forming shoulder.

[0046] In a particular embodiment, the separating element is constructed in multiple parts. In a particular embodiment, the separating element can be designed as a cutting station, which uses one or two cutting edges to separate a section of the tubular packaging sleeve containing the encased tampon. Alternatively and / or additionally, the separating element can also have sealing functions, for example, by being designed to be heatable. In this case, the sealing element can also seal the open ends of the tubular packaging sleeve for tampons in addition to cutting.

[0047] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a third conveyor device designed to convey the separated tubular packaging sleeves for tampons with the wrapped tampons further from the separating element. In a particularly preferred embodiment, this third conveyor device is designed as a V-shaped conveyor device, i.e., two conveyor belts arranged in a substantially V-shaped cross-sectional profile are configured such that a tubular section located between the two legs of the V is conveyed further in the conveying direction.

[0048] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises at least one further folding complex for sealing the head and / or end of the essentially tubular packaging casing of individual wrapped tampons. In order to produce particularly tight-fitting packages, it has proven advantageous to mold the ends, i.e. the distal and proximal ends of the tampon situated in an essentially tubular packaging material, to the tampon shape, e.g. by providing a further folding complex. In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a fourth conveyor device. In a further particular embodiment, the fourth conveyor device can be designed to convey the tubular casings with the tampons transversely to their longitudinal extent. In the sense of the present invention, this can be, for example, normal, i.e. at a 90 degree angle to the conveying direction.The device according to the invention preferably comprises at least one orientation unit designed to rotate the tampons at a 90-degree angle so that they can subsequently be conveyed further by the fourth conveyor device transversely to the longitudinal axis. This orientation unit has the advantage that additional processing stations can be implemented that can perform additional work steps on the packaged tampon, e.g., those that increase overall quality.

[0049] Particularly preferably, for example, two further folding complexes are provided, each of which is suitable for forming a distal or a proximal end of the tubular packaging sleeve, for example by folding it adjacent to the relevant tampon end.

[0050] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and the second folding complex are mirror-inverted, wherein in each case a folding element is provided which folds the tubular packaging sleeve to the distal end of the tampon for the distal end and in each case a second folding complex is provided which folds the proximal end of the tubular packaging sleeve to the proximal end of the tampon.

[0051] In a particular embodiment, the first and / or the second folding complex comprises a sealing element, in particular a sealing element for thermal sealing for the head-side and / or end-side sealing of the substantially tubular packaging wrapper around a single wrapped tampon.

[0052] In a further particular embodiment, the first and / or second folding complex comprises at least one folding arm lever and a folding element designed as a folding guide. The folding arm lever is designed to exert a counterforce for pressing the tampon wrapped in the tubular packaging sleeve against the folding guide. In its simplest embodiment, the folding arm lever is configured such that it can be pushed in the conveying direction, for example, it is mounted longitudinally. This folding arm lever is designed to return to an initial position after the forming process has been completed and to press the tampon wrapped in the tubular packaging sleeve against the folding guide.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first and / or second folding complex comprises a plurality, in particular three, folding arm levers rotating around an axis and arranged tangentially to the conveying plane, which are capable of alternately exerting a counterforce on tampons wrapped in the tubular packaging sleeve with respect to the folding guide. This configuration allows for faster conveying speeds. The conveying speed can be compensated, for example, by controlling the rotation speed of the folding arm levers around the axis.

[0053] In a further particular embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a further forming unit designed to further form a sealed tampon, i.e., a tampon completely enclosed by the tubular packaging wrapper. For example, it is particularly desirable for the surface of a packaged tampon to be particularly smooth, and therefore a further forming unit can be provided, which is designed to perform head or end smoothing or forming, respectively. For this purpose, this unit can be designed to be heatable.

[0054] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises a head end forming unit, which, at a plurality of stations that move parallel to the conveying direction of the packaged tampons, in particular coaxially to the packaged tampons to be processed, brings head forming tools into operative connection with the packaged tampon heads, the latter being shaped accordingly by the application of heat. Particularly preferably, these tools are guided parallel to the conveyed packaged tampons for at least one processing section, e.g., by means of a conveyor belt running parallel to a conveyor unit.

[0055] In another particular embodiment, the present invention comprises a sensor unit for optically inspecting the finished or packaged tampons. For this purpose, a camera can be provided along the conveying direction, for example, which optically detects the tampons and checks their quality using appropriate evaluation logic.

[0056] In a further particular embodiment, the present device also comprises an ejection element which is designed to fill the packaged tampons into further packages intended for retail sale, e.g. to package them in cardboard boxes.

[0057] In a particular embodiment, the device according to the invention additionally comprises a tear-open thread application unit. This is designed to feed a tear-open thread into the device, which in turn is designed to be welded to the tubular packaging sleeve. The tear-open thread can serve to form a gripping area during use, e.g. when unpacking the tampon from the packaging sleeve, in which the thread can be grasped and the packaging can be more easily detached from the tampon. Particularly preferably, the tear-open thread is placed radially around the circumference of the tampon in the finished packaged tampon. Particularly preferably, the tear-open thread is located close to, or substantially at, the predetermined breaking point formed by the prior perforation of the packaging material.

[0058] The tear-open thread is positioned across the tubular packaging sleeve and stretched across the conveying direction. Thermal heating seals the packaging sleeve to the tear-open thread, bonding the latter firmly. Excess tear-open thread is removed in a cutting station.

[0059] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method for packaging tampons. The method according to the invention comprises the step of feeding individual tampons on a first conveyor. Furthermore, the method comprises feeding a band-shaped packaging material into a folding element. The method further comprises feeding individual tampons into the folding element and bending the band-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve in which the individual tampons are arranged. The individual tampons are preferably arranged at a distance from one another.

[0060] The method according to the invention further comprises removing the substantially tubular packaging sleeve and separating the individual tampons together with the substantially tubular packaging sleeve surrounding them.

[0061] In a further, particularly preferred embodiment, the tampons on the first conveyor are arranged coaxially to the conveying direction in their longitudinal extent. Particularly preferably, the tampons are guided on the first conveyor, in particular by means of a limiting element that includes a recess into which the carriers can engage and convey the tampons.

[0062] In a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention, the bending of the strip-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve comprises the creation of an overlapping region encompassing the two longitudinal edges of the strip-shaped packaging material. Particularly preferably, the method according to the invention comprises a sealing process in which these two edges are firmly bonded to one another in the overlapping region.

[0063] In a further particular embodiment, the method according to the invention is carried out by means of a device described above and comprises providing the same.

[0064] In a particular embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises a material-to-material bonding process, particularly preferably a thermal material-to-material bonding process, in which, for example, a packaging material is melted by applying heat. Alternatively, ultrasonic welding or exposure to a solvent that softens the packaging material can be provided.

[0065] In a particular embodiment, a retrieval thread of the tampon is stabilized during the packaging process. Particularly preferably, the retrieval thread is held in a specific, predictable orientation by suction. In an alternative and / or supplementary embodiment, a retrieval thread is secured by means of a physical limitation in and on the tampon body in such a way that it is substantially completely surrounded by the tubular packaging sleeve during packaging. Alternatively and / or supplementarily, the retrieval thread is rolled up and / or wound prior to being fed into the device according to the invention so that it nestles against the proximal end of the tampon and is held in this position by the driver until the tampon is inserted into the substantially tubular packaging sleeve.

[0066] In a particular embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises a head-end and / or end-end sealing of the essentially tubular packaging casing of individual wrapped tampons by means of at least one additional, in particular two additional, folding complexes. This is particularly preferably accomplished by means of a first and a second folding complex, with the first folding complex being responsible for the proximal sealing and the second folding complex for the distal sealing of the packaged tampon.

[0067] In a further preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises perforating the tubular packaging material to produce a predetermined breaking point on the packaged tampon.

[0068] In a further particular embodiment, the method according to the invention comprises wrapping a tear-open thread around the tampon, wherein the tear-open thread is placed around the tampon in such a way that, after sealing and the integral bonding of the tear-open thread to the tubular packaging sleeve, a free end lies outside the sealed packaging sleeve. This forms a tear-open area that can be pulled off by the user with the finger like a tab, allowing the packaging to be removed.

[0069] It is self-evident to a person skilled in the art that the above-mentioned particular embodiments can be implemented in any combination in an inventive implementation of the present invention, provided they are not mutually exclusive. Likewise, further structural properties of a device according to the invention result from the method features, or further method features result from the mode of operation of the device according to the invention.

[0070] In the following, the present invention is explained in more detail using specific embodiments and figures, without, however, being limited to these.

[0071] The figures are purely schematic and illustrate the inventive concepts in a simplified manner.

[0072] A person skilled in the art will be able to derive a number of further complete embodiments of the present invention from studying these exemplary embodiments.

[0073] Description of the figures Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the following figures.

[0074] The figures show schematically:

[0075] Fig. 1: a device according to the invention for the assembly, in particular individual packaging of tampons;

[0076] Fig. 2a: a tampon with a tubular packaging wrapper in a sealing element;

[0077] Fig. 2b a tampon with a tubular packaging wrapper in a sealing element;

[0078] Fig. 3: an end and head seal of the essentially tubular packaging wrapper around a wrapped tampon;

[0079] Fig. 4: an end sealing unit;

[0080] Fig. 5: a driver for changing the orientation of a tampon during the conveying process;

[0081] Fig. 6: a wrapping unit for wrapping a tampon with the essentially tubular packaging wrapper;

[0082] Fig. 7a: a first folding element for forming a band-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve;

[0083] Fig. 7b: a sealing unit in side view;

[0084] Fig. 8: a unit for smoothing the top of the packaged tampons, and

[0085] Fig. 9: a carrier arrangement for conveying in a first conveyor device

[0086] Implementation of the invention

[0087] Figure 1 schematically shows a basic structure of a device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 is used for the individual packaging of tampons 100, each with a molded-on packaging sleeve 110'. The device 1 according to the invention is thus suitable for producing packaged tampons from individual, unpackaged tampons 100. For this purpose, the tampons 100 are guided through various processing steps in a conveying direction A. The processing steps shown in the present example in Figure 1 are exemplary of an embodiment of the inventive solution. The tampons are fed individually into the device 1 from a winding and pressing process (not shown) in the figure representation on the left in Figure 1. The upstream winding process and the completion of tampons from the resulting preforms can be taken by the person skilled in the art from the relevant prior art, in particular from WO2022 / 223330A1.Of course, one or more additional modules can be provided for intermediate processing or for transfer from the winding drum to the device 1 according to the invention.

[0088] The finished tampons 100 are conveyed individually and at a distance from one another in the conveying direction A in the device 1 on a first conveyor. For this purpose, the device 1 includes a plurality of carriers 4.1, 4.2, which are designed as first carriers to each convey a tampon 100. These first carriers can be jointly driven and each have a carrier arm, which operatively engages the distal end of the conveyed tampon 100 and pushes it forward in the conveying direction A.

[0089] Arranged below the conveyor device 2 is a feed unit 7, which is designed to unwind a band-shaped packaging material 116 and, for example, to guide it via suitable rollers and spools into a folding element 5. This folding element 5 is designed to form the essentially flat, fed band-shaped packaging material 116, via suitable geometric structures, around the tampon 100, which is also fed into the folding element 5, so that a substantially tubular packaging sleeve is formed from the band-shaped packaging material 116 around the tampon 100.

[0090] Suitable as band-shaped packaging material 116 within the meaning of the present invention are cellulose hydrates or their derivatives, which are used under the brand name cellophane as packaging material in a variety of areas. However, suitable packaging materials can also be produced from other bases, particularly from a sustainability perspective from plant- or fungi-based plastics. In common practice, however, cellophane has also proven to be largely biodegradable. Alternative packaging materials that can be processed with the present invention as band-shaped packaging material 116 include, for example, fabrics and / or nonwovens based on plant fibers, such as paper packaging materials. These can also be coated with plastics and / or metals, for example, to provide a moisture-repellent coating.Of course, these plastics can also be naturally derived and / or compostable and / or biodegradable. Suitable plastics include thermoplastics based on polylactic acid (PLA) and / or cellulose acetate.

[0091] The feed unit 7 can be designed such that a plurality of rolls with the corresponding endless packaging material can be present as a magazine, so that uninterrupted operation of the device 1 is ensured.

[0092] The tampons 100 emerge from the folding element 5 wrapped in a substantially tubular packaging sleeve 110', which is formed from the bent band-shaped packaging material 116. Preferably, an overlapping region is formed which is suitable for sealing the tubular packaging sleeve. Continuing in the direction of belt travel, the substantially tubular packaging sleeve 110' is conveyed over an anvil belt 9, which is arranged opposite a sealing unit 8, in particular a heating unit 8. The sealing unit 8 applies energy to at least the overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve around the tampon 100, such that the overlapping region is bonded together.In a specific embodiment, this is ensured by means of heat, which the sealing unit 8, designed as a heat unit 8, transfers to the tubular packaging sleeve in the overlapping area.

[0093] In this specific example, the anvil belt 9 is designed as a tensioned conveyor belt and guided over a guide rail, so that the tampons 100 and the essentially tubular packaging material 110' come into close physical contact with the sealing unit 8. The tampons are then separated. In the present example, the separation takes place via a two-part separating element 10.1, 10.2. This separating element can, for example, be equipped with heatable separating jaws, which bridge the intermediate area between two tampons and come into contact with each other, thereby cutting off and sealing the essentially tubular packaging sleeve. This results in individually finished tampons with an essentially molded packaging sleeve 110". Alternatively, the separating unit 10.1, 10.2 can also have a simple cutting means, e.g.a cutting blade arranged on a roller, which cuts off the essentially tubular packaging sleeve with an open end. Optionally, further processing steps can be provided, e.g., to increase the attractiveness of the cut point. Following the folding element 5, the tampons are no longer conveyed individually, but collectively via a second conveyor device 3, which, as described above, is in the form of a conveyor belt and conveys the tubular sleeve together with the tampons 100 contained therein.

[0094] A sealing process according to the invention is explained in more detail using Figures 2a and 2b as an example.

[0095] Figure 2a shows a schematic cross-section of a tampon 100 with a substantially tubular packaging sleeve wrapped around the tampon 100. The tampon is conveyed in the viewing direction via a belt 9, but is located within the packaging sleeve, which may have been shrunk in a prior step. To seal a vertical flap 112 into a simply sealed packaging sleeve, a two-part sealing element 8.1, 8.2 is provided, which applies heat to both sides of the vertical flap and leads to the creation of the sealed flap 112. This process is illustrated schematically in Figure 2a, in which a hatched area 112 represents a materially bonded edge.

[0096] Figure 2b shows a schematic cross-section of a tampon 100 with a substantially tubular packaging wrapper 110' wrapped around the tampon 100. This figure can, for example, represent a second sealing element 8, which performs a second sealing step following the vertical sealing. However, it is clear to a person skilled in the art that this step can also be performed as the sole sealing step. In this case, for example, a fold can be omitted, and the two lateral edges can be directly bonded in an overlapping area.

[0097] In the illustrated example, an overlapping region 20 is formed where the two longitudinal edges of the essentially tubular packaging material 110' overlap. The tampon is conveyed in the viewing direction over an anvil belt 9. Opposite the anvil belt is a sealing unit 8 which is designed to apply energy to at least the overlapping region 20 in such a way that the tubular packaging sleeve is integrally bonded to the two overlapping edge ends in this region. This can be done, for example, by heating as described above, although alternatively ultrasound can also be used to weld the overlapping region 20. Also conceivable is the application of a chemical solvent which softens the molecular structure of the plastic used and, for example, bonded the overlapping region 20 using a pressure roller.It is also conceivable that a tubular packaging material 1 10' is provided with a plastic adhesive in the overlapping area 20 and the application of energy via the sealing unit 8 is carried out only as contact pressure against the anvil belt 9 and the overlapping area is connected in a material-to-material manner.

[0098] By folding the sealed flap of Fig. 2a over the already bonded area 112, a second area 113 is bonded. This double seal has proven to be particularly stable.

[0099] In another alternative embodiment, the plastic is not yet fully cured and is in an expandable state during this processing. Later, the plastic cures in such a way that the overlap area remains stable due to static adhesion and the structural stability of the cured plastic. Strictly speaking, there is no material bond, but essentially an analogous effect is achieved.

[0100] Figure 3 shows an example of a closure unit 50 which can be added to the device in Figure 1 and which is designed to further improve the quality of the tampons with the molded-on packaging sleeve. In particular, the distal and proximal ends of the tubular packaging sleeve are to be better molded around the tampon and an overall clean finish is to be achieved. For this purpose, a series of processing elements are provided in the closure unit 50. The closure unit 50 conveys the tampons to various processing stations in the conveying direction A, starting from the first processing unit shown in Figure 1. In the present example, the tampons are transferred from their conveying direction coaxial to their longitudinal extent into a conveying direction normal to the conveying direction.This enables particularly precise control of the respective head and end components of the packaging sleeve and an overall better seal. The unit located on the left in the viewing plane of Figure 3 can be designed as schematically shown in Figure 1. The tampons 100 arranged longitudinally to the conveying direction enter from the left into a closure unit 50 which comprises second drivers 19. These second drivers 19 are arranged and guided via a guide disk in such a way that they are able to transfer the individually guided tampons from their longitudinal orientation to an orientation transverse to the conveying direction, i.e., essentially at a 90° angle to the conveying direction.

[0101] In this orientation, the tampons reach the first folding complex 17.1, which is designed to perform an end-side sealing of the molded packaging sleeve. For this purpose, the first folding complex 17.1 comprises a series of folding arm levers with folding tools, which are attached to the ends and push the trailing end of the molded packaging sleeve into the folding element 13 such that the end is folded as the tampon passes by. A connected sealing unit 12 seals the folded end, wherein this end sealing unit 12 is designed in the present example for thermal sealing, i.e. for applying heat to the tampon end and the molded packaging sleeve 110' located thereon. A second folding complex 17.2, which is arranged essentially in a mirror-inverted manner, serves to do the same with the head part, wherein here too the head is folded against a corresponding folding element by means of a head sealing unit 18 and is then thermally sealed by the head sealing unit.

[0102] For quality control, a control element 51 with an optical sensor, in this case a camera lens 52, is arranged downstream of the folding complexes 17.1, 17.2. This element visually inspects the finished tampons with the molded packaging sleeve and the folded head and end sleeves. The evaluation of the optical inspection can be computer-assisted.

[0103] In Figure 4, the first folding complex 17.1 is illustrated again, wherein the first folding complex 15 is arranged downstream of a second driver 19, which guides a packaged tampon 100 provided with a molded packaging sleeve 110" via a driver head, e.g. by means of suction, in the conveying direction normal, i.e. at a 90° angle, into a conveyor device, which brings the head side of the tampon into operative connection with the folding complex, wherein the folding complex in the present example is formed by a plurality of folding arm levers 16 and folding tools 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 provided at the ends of the folding arm levers 16. The folding arm levers 16 are arranged rotatably about a folding arm axis 15 and come into operative connection with the folding element and the trailing and open end of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve in such a way that the end is folded against the folding element, wherein the folding element 13 in the present example serves as folding backdrop is formed.Downstream, the folded end passes a sealing unit 12, which connects this folded end in a material-to-material manner.

[0104] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of how the second driver 19 works. In this example, the second driver 19 is used to rotate the tampons, which are arranged and conveyed longitudinally to the conveying direction A, by 90° so that they are conveyed further transversely to the conveying direction A and the corresponding ends are more easily accessible in the machine direction by the other processing tools. For this purpose, the second driver 19 has a driver head 22 which has a vacuum opening 30 at its end as a holding unit, which grips and conveys the tampon by means of suction. As an alternative to a vacuum opening, the holding unit 30 can also grip the corresponding tampons by means of electrostatic attraction or by means of a gripper. The driver 19 is guided on a guide groove 21 which is angled in the direction of the belt and is guided on a guide disk 20 via a roller.A guide lever 24 transmits the movement along the guide groove 21 to the driver 19. The roller can be designed as a control cam so that the driver can be pivoted by 90°.

[0105] Figure 6 schematically illustrates in more detail as an exemplary embodiment a wrapping unit 70, as initially described in Figure 1. The tampons enter the wrapping unit 70 via individual drivers 4.1, by means of which the tampons are fed to a folding element 5 through a limiting guide provided with a recess. In the present example, the drivers 4.1 are arranged on a chain guide which can be driven by means of a driver axis 99. In this part of the device and the wrapping unit 70, a substantially tubular packaging sleeve is folded around the tampons as a continuous tube. The tampons are inserted into this tube and passed on an anvil belt (not visible in Figure 6) under a sealing unit (not shown).

[0106] A positioning belt 74 advances the substantially tubular packaging sleeve with the tampons arranged at a distance therefrom. The positioning belt 74 is driven by a positioning belt drive 91 designed as a roller. In the present example, the positioning belt has means to ensure propulsion of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve. This can be ensured, for example, by providing elements on or at the positioning belt 74 that increase the coefficient of friction and generate sufficient grip to push the substantially tubular packaging sleeve forward in the conveying direction A. Alternatively and / or additionally, the positioning belt 74 can be designed to generate a vacuum by means of suction and thus convey the substantially tubular packaging sleeve.

[0107] Downstream of the sealing unit is a separation unit designed to separate the essentially tubular packaging sleeve in the spaces between the tampons. In the present example, an anvil roller and an opposing separation roller are provided for this purpose, which interact to separate the tube end. Alternatively and / or additionally, the separation roller can be designed to seal tube ends.

[0108] In Figures 7a and 7b, individual components of the wrapping unit, as described above, are explained in more detail using a specific exemplary embodiment. Figure 7a schematically illustrates the process step in which the strip-shaped packaging material is formed into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve. Strip-shaped packaging material 116, which in the present example has already been perforated transversely to the longitudinal extent in order to create a later predetermined breaking point on the packaged tampon, is guided from the left to the folding element 5. In the present example, the folding element 5 is designed as a forming shoulder 5. The tampons 100 are also fed in from the left, wherein the tampons 100 are initially conveyed individually in a limiting guide 61 by drivers 4.1. For this purpose, a driver drive 40 has a plurality of drivers 4.1, which are each orbitally arranged and, for example,can be moved by means of a chain or belt drive. In the present example, the limiting guide 61 is designed as a guide with a C-profile in cross-section, which has a groove on the top side as an engagement, into which the drivers 4.1 engage and can push the respective tampons from the proximal end forward through the limiting guide 61. An insertion cylinder 60 arranged downstream of the limiting guide 61 serves to insert the tampons into the folding element 5, wherein a folding shoulder 5 is designed such that, with a downstream tapered portion of the insertion cylinder 60, it leads to a tubular packaging sleeve being guided with an overlapping area around the tampon. The tubular packaging sleeve, together with the tampons 100 located therein, is guided further to the sealing unit (not shown in Figure 7a) by means of a pair of vertically arranged guide belts.Of course, the belts can also be replaced with other guides, depending on the knowledge of a specialist.

[0109] Figure 7b schematically shows how the tampons 100 are pushed from the insertion cylinder into a sleeve formed by the folding shoulder 5 into a tubular packaging sleeve. A blank cylinder 63 stabilizes and secures the overlapping area formed in the process. Downstream, the essentially tubular packaging sleeve with the tampons 100 contained therein, wherein the essentially tubular packaging sleeve has perforations 117, passes into a sealing unit 8. In the present example, the sealing unit 8 is designed as a heating unit 8. This heating unit 8 is arranged with a restoring force via springs 8.2 above the essentially tubular packaging sleeve being guided past in such a way that heat from the heating unit 8 can be transferred to the overlapping area via a sealing band. In this example, a sealing band is driven via a circulating roller 3.1 is applied to the overlapping area. Opposite this is an anvil belt, which is also guided via a revolving roller (here an anvil belt roller 9.2) via an anvil belt guide 9.

[0110] Optionally, further elements can be provided which improve the quality of the individually packaged tampons produced using the inventive solution. In particular, it may be desired that the molded end pieces, i.e. the proximal and / or distal end of a tampon with a molded-on packaging sleeve, are smoothed. Such an additional unit is shown schematically in Figure 8. In the present example, the tampons with a molded-on packaging sleeve, which have already been turned from the longitudinal direction into the transverse direction by a previous unit, e.g. as shown in Figure 5, and are individually guided, are guided on a circulating belt of a molding unit parallel to a circulating belt for molding tools 93 in such a way that the tampons with the molded-on packaging sleeve are guided coaxially to the molding tools for a specific period of time. In the present example, the circulating belt of a molding unit has a row of drivers 80.3.These carriers of the molding unit 80.3 comprise a carrier head of the molding unit 80, which has a vacuum suction opening 80.1. This vacuum suction opening 80.1 serves to grip the tampons packaged in the molded packaging sleeve by means of suction. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other means for gripping the tampons, as already described elsewhere in this application, e.g., by means of electrostatic forces and / or by means of mechanical holding and gripping devices.

[0111] The chosen method of gripping with the vacuum suction opening has proven to be advantageous, as it is particularly gentle on the packaged tampons and therefore does not affect the high quality of the products.

[0112] The drivers of the molding unit 80.3 are arranged on the circulating belt of the molding unit 80.2 in such a way that they move for a certain period of time parallel to a molding tool that is also guided on a circulating belt 93. These molding tools comprise a molding tool head 95, the front of which is formed on a molding tool piston 94. The molding tool piston 94, in turn, is displaceably mounted on a translation axis FG that is displaceable transversely to the conveying direction, such that it can be transferred from a released state to an operatively connected state. For this purpose, the circulating belt of the preliminary tools 93 can have corresponding translation elements (not shown) that can displace the molding tools as a whole. Alternatively and / or additionally, the molding tool pistons 94 can be mounted in the molding tools in such a way that they can be displaced, for example, pneumatically, along the translation axis FG.If the molding tools are arranged in operative connection with the molding tool head 95, a mold 92, which is designed essentially complementary to the part of the tampon wrapper to be formed, can act on the latter. For this purpose, the molding tool heads 95, with the mold 92 located therein, can be designed, for example, to be heatable, so that the corresponding packaging materials can be softened or reshaped by applying heat.

[0113] In Figure 9, the arrangement for guiding the still unpacked tampons as already described in Figures 1 and others is shown in more detail in a concrete embodiment from an example.

[0114] Figure 9 shows a multi-part limiting guide 61.1, 61.2 on a driver drive 4.0, a plurality of drivers 4.1 are conveyed via a chain drive, wherein a grid insert 4.11 is provided for each driver 4.1, which is rigidly connected to the driver drive 4.0 and its circumferentially conveyed chain drive moved via a driver axis 99 in such a way that they can engage in an operative orientation in a limiting guide 61.1, 61.2. The limiting guide 61.1, 61.2 shown here in multi-part form has a cross-sectionally essentially C-shaped profile in which the tampons are conveyed by the drivers pushing the proximal ends of the tampons forward. The profiling is selected such that expansion of the compressed tampons is essentially prevented. The multi-part design in this example can be chosen for practical reasons, e.g.a tapered profile in the limit guide 61.1 ,.

[0115] 61 .2 easier to implement on the component side.

[0116] As already described above, the tampons are then fed to a folding element 5 via an insertion cylinder 60, which folds the respective tubular packaging sleeve around the tampons.

[0117] The device according to the invention makes it possible to provide an arbitrarily scalable system for packaging individual tampons. The system according to the invention can be supplemented with additional elements, e.g., to improve quality. For this purpose, certain advantageous embodiments of the present invention are shown, such as the possibility of changing orientation or the corresponding limiting guide, which allows the tampons to be guided along their longitudinal axis without the need for sleeves. A person skilled in the art will gain further advantages and advantageous implementations of the present invention from studying the embodiments presented in the specific examples and in the general description.

[0118] List of reference symbols

[0119] 1 device

[0120] 2 first conveyor system

[0121] 3 second conveyor system

[0122] 3.1 Revolving roller

[0123] 4.0 Carrier drive

[0124] 4.1 first drivers

[0125] 4.2 first drivers

[0126] 4.11 Grid insert

[0127] 5 folding element

[0128] 7 Feed unit

[0129] 8 Sealing unit / heating unit

[0130] 8.1 Lateral sealing unit 8.2 Lateral sealing unit

[0131] 8.2 Spring

[0132] 9 Anvil band guide

[0133] 9.1 Anvil band

[0134] 9.2 Anvil band roll

[0135] 10.1 Separation element

[0136] 10.2 Separation element

[0137] 12 End sealing unit

[0138] 13 Folding element

[0139] 14.1 Folding tool

[0140] 14.2 Folding tool

[0141] 14.3 Folding tool

[0142] 15 Folding arm axis

[0143] 16 folding arm levers

[0144] 17.1 first folding complex

[0145] 17.2 second folding complex

[0146] 18 Head sealing unit

[0147] 19 second drivers

[0148] 20 Overlap area

[0149] 20' guide disc

[0150] 21 Guide groove

[0151] 22 Driving head

[0152] 23 Intake opening

[0153] 24 guide levers

[0154] 30 Adhesive unit / vacuum opening

[0155] 40 Carrier drive

[0156] 50 locking unit

[0157] 51 Control element

[0158] 52 lens

[0159] 60 insert cylinders

[0160] 61 Limit guide

[0161] 61.1 first part limit guide

[0162] 61.2 second part limit guide

[0163] 63 rolling cylinders

[0164] 70 wrapping unit

[0165] 71 Leadership profile

[0166] 72 Thread control

[0167] 73 Import profile

[0168] 74 Positioning tape

[0169] 75 Anvil roller 77 Separation roller

[0170] 80 Driving head of the forming unit

[0171] 80.1 Vacuum intake opening

[0172] 80.2 Circulating belt of a forming unit

[0173] 80.3 Mold unit driver

[0174] 91 Positioning belt drive

[0175] 92 Shape

[0176] 93 Circulating belt forming tools

[0177] 95 Forming tool head

[0178] 94 mold pistons

[0179] 99 Driving axle

[0180] 100 tampons

[0181] 116 band-shaped packaging material

[0182] 110' essentially tubular packaging wrap

[0183] 110” molded packaging sleeve

[0184] 111 Folded packaging sleeve

[0185] 112 single sealed packaging sleeve / materially bonded area

[0186] 113 double sealed packaging sleeve / second materially bonded area

[0187] 116 band-shaped packaging material

[0188] 117 Perforation

[0189] A conveying direction

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for the assembly, in particular individual packaging, of tampons (100), comprising a. a first folding element (5) for forming a band-shaped packaging material (116) into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve (110') for tampons (100); b. a first conveyor device (2) for conveying individual tampons (100) in a conveying direction (A) into the folding element (5) such that the tampons (100) are wrapped around their longitudinal axis by the substantially tubular packaging sleeve (110') for tampons (100) upon leaving the folding element; c. a separating element (10.1, 10.2) for separating individually wrapped tampons (100).

2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a feed unit (7) for feeding, in particular endlessly feeding, the band-shaped packaging material.

3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising at least one first sealing element (8), in particular a heating unit (8), for thermally connecting an overlapping region of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve (110').

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first conveying device comprises a plurality of carriers (4.1, 4.2, ...) each for conveying a single tampon (100).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first conveying device comprises a limiting guide which is designed to limit an expansion of the conveyed tampon transversely to the longitudinal extent, in particular wherein the limiting guide is designed as a C-guide.

6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a second conveyor device (3) for conveying the tubular packaging sleeve for tampons with the wrapped tampons, in particular in such a way that the tampons stored in the packaging sleeve are conveyed by conveying the same.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the folding element (5) has a tampon receiving groove and a folding angle.

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the separating element is formed in several parts.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the separating element is designed to be heatable.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9. Further comprising an orientation unit for changing the orientation of the conveyed tampons (100) and / or packaged tampons (110”) relative to the conveying direction, in particular for rotating the conveyed tampons (100) and / or packaged tampons (110”) by 90 degrees relative to the conveying direction. 1 1. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising at least one further folding complex (17.1, 17.2) for sealing the head and / or end of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve (110') of individual wrapped tampons (110").

12. A method for manufacturing tampons, comprising the steps: a. feeding individual tampons onto a first conveyor (2); b. feeding a band-shaped packaging material into a folding element; c. feeding the individual tampons into the folding element, and bending the band-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular packaging sleeve in which the individual tampons are arranged; d. removing the substantially tubular packaging wrapper, and e. separating the individual tampons together with the part of the substantially tubular packaging wrapper surrounding them.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein bending the band-shaped packaging material into a substantially tubular packaging wrapper comprises creating an overlap region of the two longitudinal edges of the band-shaped packaging material.

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a material-to-material joining, in particular thermal joining, of the two longitudinal edges of the band-shaped packaging material, in particular at the overlapping region.

15. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein a retrieval thread of the tampon is stabilized during the method.

16. Method according to one of claims 12 to 15, comprising a head-side and / or end-side sealing of the substantially tubular packaging sleeve (110') of individual wrapped tampons (100) by means of at least one further folding complex, in particular a first folding complex and a second folding complex.

17. A method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, comprising the step: a. Providing a device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (RULE 20.6)

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