Apparatus and method for tying lace ends

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for tying string ends so that a loop is formed. The apparatus 1 includes a string tying assembly 3 for tying two string portions of the string end, and a driver 5 for feeding the string portions to the string tying assembly 3. The apparatus 1 further includes an orbital path 4 along which the driver and the string tying assembly 3 are guided. The orbital path has a string tying region and a turnover region, and is designed to guide the driver at different speeds in the string tying region and the turnover region. The present invention further relates to a method for tying string ends and an apparatus for manufacturing tampons with proximal withdrawal cords.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for knotting a thread end such that a loop is formed (verknotung eines Fadenendes; knotting a thread end). In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for knotting the thread end of a tampon extraction string.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a method for knotting a thread end, according to the preamble of the independent claims, and to an apparatus for manufacturing a tampon having a proximal extraction string with two thread ends connected to each other.

Background Art

[0003] Tampons are used for a woman's monthly menstruation and are usually a compressed product formed by winding up or folding a sheet of absorbent material. Rolled tampons typically comprise one or more layers of absorbent material and any additional nonwoven layers and are wound longitudinally from one end. Modern manufacturing methods further provide for the formation of a tapered distal tip. Folded tampons, so-called "tea bag tampons", are folded in a zigzag manner like an accordion and, if desired, also provided with a tapered tip in a similar forming step as rolled tampons. Regardless of the manufacturing method, all tampons require a means for extraction in order to be removed from the body opening after use.

[0004] It is particularly important that the extraction means must not be detached under any circumstances, or that the attachment of the extraction means to the tampon, i.e., the absorbent material or laminate, must not be detached. For this reason, a tape or string is used, which is arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the tape around the wound or folded tampon, and the extraction means forms a loop transversely to the longitudinal extension of the tape. After the tampon has been wound or folded, the loop is preferably placed completely inside the tampon, and the extraction force acts not only on the proximal end of the tampon, but also the distal end is pulled by the loop, making it substantially impossible to detach the extraction means from the absorbent material.

[0005] In principle, the manufacturing process of such tampons involves preparing in advance an extraction string that is placed around and tied around a ribbon-like material before the tampon is wound or folded. International Publication No. WO 2016 / 207242 (Ruggli Projects AG, Hagendorn-CH) shows the manufacturing process of tampons, and in particular, additional problems of wound tampons are solved. When the extraction string is manipulated by folding back a loop around the ribbon-like material, the extraction force acts on the distal end, i.e., the tip of the tampon, but it is possible that the wound tampon extends and is telescopically pulled out during the process. This document shows how such expansion and contraction is substantially prevented by a laminate strip.

[0006] However, the latest generation of tampon manufacturing machines produce much larger quantities than previous ones. Swiss Patent Application No. 00426 / 18 (Ruggli Projects AG, Hagendorn-CH) shows an apparatus for forming tampons from a ribbon-like material, and as described in this document, before winding, the extraction string is placed around and tied around a strip of the ribbon-like material. The apparatus shown therein is capable of processing more than 140 tampons per minute. Existing string-tying machines can no longer cope with these quantities.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need for a string tying machine that can generate a large number of knots per unit time without sacrificing quality.

Summary of the Invention

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the existing string tying device and make it suitable for machining more pieces. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a device for tying the ends of a string that is efficient and requires little maintenance.

[0009] Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a device for tying the ends of a string that solves at least one known problem.

[0010] This object is solved by a device for tying the ends of a string such that a loop is formed, according to the characterizing part of each independent claim, and a corresponding method and device for manufacturing a tampon having a proximal extraction string.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to a device for tying the ends of a string such that a loop is formed. Preferably, this is the end of the extraction string for a tampon.

[0012] The device includes a string tying assembly for tying two string portions of the string end. The device further comprises a driver for feeding the string portion to the string tying assembly. The device according to the present invention comprises an orbital path, and the driver is guided around the string tying assembly along the orbital path. The orbital path has an acceleration region capable of accelerating the driver to a first speed. The orbital path further has a deceleration region capable of decelerating the driver to a second speed.

[0013] Although the present invention has been described in the context of a tampon for use in a woman's monthly menstruation, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that all types of tampons having an extraction string, such as surgical tampons for closing blood vessels, wounds, and anus, which are mainly used in the medical field, can benefit from the teachings of the present invention.

[0014] In certain embodiments, the driver is designed to guide the end of the string along the orbital path and, in particular, to unwind the end of the string from the string bobbin. For this purpose, the driver can comprise, for example, a gripper and / or a clamp that can grip a portion of the end of the string. As an alternative to the gripper, the driver can be provided with a bobbin or a roller around which the end of the string is guided.

[0015] In the context of the present invention, a driver can be considered decelerable or accelerable if it is operatively connected, on its path, to drive means that are, for example, decelerable and / or accelerable.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the driver can be engaged, for example, by pins, with a driven chain attached to the orbital path. This chain can be accelerated to a certain speed by a drive unit and decelerated as required. The driver engaging the chain will also be accelerated or decelerated.

[0017] In an alternative embodiment, the driver can be firmly attached to a movable carriage attached to the orbital path, and the movable carriage is accelerated or decelerated along the orbital path such that this acceleration and deceleration action acts on the driver.

[0018] In a further alternative embodiment, the driver can be driven by a belt that can be accelerated or decelerated along the orbital path. A magnetic track drive is also conceivable, in which magnets excitable along the orbital path can accelerate or decelerate a driver attached to the orbital path.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the orbital path includes a ring bearing and is mounted so as to rotate about a central unit. The driver is then firmly connected, for example, to the rotatably mounted orbital path. The orbital path can be driven, for example, by providing teeth on the orbital path, and the teeth can be driven by a drive unit via a toothed belt, for example, and can be accelerated or decelerated.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the driver can be directly driven. Preferably, the device according to the invention features a direct drive for the driver. In a further specific embodiment, this direct drive can be designed as an electric direct drive, in particular as a torque drive. For this purpose, for example, a stator can be provided outside or inside the orbital path, and the driver can be provided as a rotor.

[0021] According to the invention, a drive control system can be provided that is adapted to define an acceleration region and a deceleration region of the orbital path. The drive control system can be designed to ensure that the driver traverses the orbital path at at least two different speeds during one rotation. For example, the different speeds can be initiated by a deceleration region and an acceleration region, respectively.

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

[0023] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the drive control unit is designed to provide a second speed of the driver that is maintained in a turnover region.

[0024] For the purposes of the present invention, the turnover area can be understood as an area placed on the fiber supply (Bahnspeisung; web feed) area such that one or more string portions of the string carried by the driver are wound around the corresponding length of the fibers of the ribbon-shaped substrate from which the extraction string is provided. Similarly, in the sense of the present invention, the string tying area can be regarded as a further area in which at least two string portions of the string end are guided to the string tying assembly such that the string tying assembly ties these two together.

[0025] During operation, this then means that an eye, loop, or loop of the extraction string end is formed in the turnover area and the resulting untied string ends are joined in the string tying area.

[0026] String tying assemblies suitable for carrying out the present invention are known. String tying assemblies suitable for the device according to the present invention, in their simplest embodiments, comprise at least one string tying mandrel. The string tying mandrel is rotatably mounted and driven within a string tying ring. Generally, the string tying mandrel rotates in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the driver on the orbital path. The string tying mandrel engages a string portion approached by the driver and performs a rotation while the driver advances through the string tying area. The rotation of the string tying mandrel then creates the knot.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the string tying assembly has openings suitable for guiding two string portions into the effective area of the string tying assembly when the two string portions are guided into the effective area of the string tying assembly by a driver passing radially (radial; radially).

[0028] In certain embodiments, the device is adapted to form a knot, i.e., to tie the string ends, during one rotation of the driver on the orbital path.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the driver is oriented to be radially guided on a circular track path. In alternative or complementary embodiments, the driver is firmly connected to the track path, and the track path is adapted to be radially guided.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a thread feed for continuously supplying a thread end to the driver.

[0031] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the thread feed comprises a thread bobbin around which the thread is wound and at least one unwinding reel for connecting the thread to the driver in particular. When the driver moves, the thread is unwound from the thread bobbin, fed once around the entire apparatus, and forms a loop essentially by two thread pieces.

[0032] For the purposes of the present invention, the thread end can always be considered to be the machined end when viewed in relation to the total length of the thread on the bobbin.

[0033] The thread pieces form two leg portions of a loop formed substantially by the enveloping movement of the driver, as can be understood in the context of the present invention, and form an eye portion where the ribbon-shaped substrate will be disposed later. This loop is typically disposed transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ribbon-shaped substrate around the ribbon-shaped substrate, such that pulling on the knotted ends of the loop exerts a force transversely to the longitudinal direction of the ribbon-shaped substrate.

[0034] For the purposes of the present invention, the side of the loop opposite the knot can also be referred to as the distal end of the extraction thread, and the knot can be referred to as the proximal end of the extraction thread. This corresponds to the normal terminology when considering a tampon, where the distal end is typically formed by the conically pointed tip of the tampon.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the lacing assembly is configured to form a knot by rotating a lacing mandrel about a rotational axis in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the driver. In particular, the lacing mandrel rotates more than a full rotation about its rotational axis when forming the knot. Preferably, the lacing mandrel is designed to complete 1 to 1.8 rotations, particularly 1.1 to 1.6 rotations, and most preferably about 1.5 rotations when forming the knot.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the lacing mandrel is driven to rotate more than a full rotation in a direction opposite to the rotational direction of the driver while the driver moves through the lacing region. During operation, this can mean that the lacing mandrel completes 1 to 2 rotations and returns to its starting position while the driver advances around the lacing region, and in particular, this is done by completing the initiated rotation while the driver advances around the turnover region.

[0037] In certain embodiments, the apparatus further comprises a cutting element for cutting the knotted loop of the string end. Particularly preferably, the cutting element acts at the proximal end of the loop on the string piece that is still connected to the bobbin. Particularly preferably, the cutting element is attached such that the cutting is effected by the movement of the driver, i.e., the driver guides the string piece to be cut over the cutting element so as to be cut. In its simplest embodiment, the cutting element can be a blade attached in the direction of travel of the driver, and the driver guides the string against resistance so that the string is cut by the cutting element.

[0038] In certain embodiments, the cutting element is curved. In certain embodiments, the interface of the cutting element is where the driver forms a new end portion for unwinding additional string within a further track path and a new string end is formed to start a new cycle.

[0039] In certain embodiments, the orbital path is substantially circular. Particularly preferably, the orbital path is circular. By unwinding the string by the circular motion of the driver, the overall design can be made more compact, and the accessibility of individual components can be improved. Furthermore, wear of the components is reduced.

[0040] In this embodiment, the string tying region, the acceleration region, the turnover region, and the deceleration region can be defined as angles of the circular orbital path. The angles can overlap in the order described above. In another particular embodiment, the device is configured such that the driver completes a cycle of rotating once along the orbital path, particularly around the center of the circular orbital path, about its axis of rotation.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the cycle includes two speeds at which the driver is guided along the circular orbital path. The first speed in the string tying region is designed to be slower than the second speed in the turnover region. Particularly preferably, the first speed and the second speed are coordinated with the rotational speed of the string tying mandrel. The first speed is such that the string tying mandrel can complete 1 to 2 rotations about the axis of rotation. The second speed is such that the string tying mandrel can complete the remaining rotation, i.e., the difference between the start and end of the second rotation. For example, when the driver re-enters the string tying region, it can be ensured that the string tying mandrel returns to its initial state and is ready. Alternatively, the string tying mandrel can also complete more than the remaining rotation, i.e., the difference between the start and end of the second rotation, i.e., an additional N full rotations. Here, a full rotation represents a complete rotation around the axis of rotation and is defined as an angle of 360°.

[0042] In certain embodiments, the device according to the invention comprises a path inlet for passing a ribbon-shaped substrate through the effective region of the driver.

[0043] In certain embodiments, this path inlet is a recess capable of transporting a ribbon-shaped substrate into the effective area of the driver. For the purposes of the present invention, the effective area of the driver is defined by the radial movement of the driver along the orbital path. In other words, as soon as an object enters the orbital path of the driver, the effective area of the driver is provided. In practice, this may mean that the driver unwinds the string end and carries the string end along the orbital path and wraps it around the ribbon-shaped substrate located at the path inlet.

[0044] Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the path inlet is formed transversely to the string tying assembly. Particularly preferably, the string end is arranged around the ribbon-shaped substrate in the orbital path at a second speed of the driver on the orbital path.

[0045] In certain embodiments, the device includes a holding device for holding a loop formed by the circulation of the driver on the orbital path. Particularly preferably, the holding device is formed transversely to the string tying assembly. Most preferably, the holding device is formed transversely to the path inlet such that the loop is held so that the ribbon-shaped substrate is placed within the leg portion of the loop.

[0046] In certain embodiments, the holding device is designed as a latch. The latch is designed to exert a restoring force on the loop end of the string end to be tied. In particular, the latch is designed to exert a releasable restoring force on the loop end of the string end to be tied.

[0047] In certain embodiments, the holding device is driven. This can be achieved, for example, by providing the holding device with an operable pneumatic cylinder.

[0048] In alternative or complementary embodiments, the holding device is provided with a component on which a restoring force acts so that the holding device maintains the tension on the held loop with respect to the driver and the lacing assembly. In a variant where the holding device is designed as a latch, it can also be provided with a mechanical end stopper that locks the extended latch. When the latch is released, the latch can release the loop and enter the released state. Preferably, the latch is then equipped so that the latch can be automatically moved back to its original position.

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

[0050] In alternative or supplementary embodiments, the latch comprises a spring.

[0051] In certain embodiments, the holding device is configured to be adjustable with respect to the path inlet so that it can accommodate different loop lengths. For example, depending on the selected distance of the holding device to the path inlet or the lacing assembly, a corresponding longer or shorter string portion can be used to form the loop.

[0052] In certain embodiments, the holding device comprises at least two holding teeth. The holding teeth can be configured such that one end of the string portion is held by the holding teeth in each case, so that the holding device holds the eye portion of the corresponding loop, which can guide the path inlet, for example, to guide a ribbon-shaped substrate.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the latch is configured to apply a holding force to the loop as long as the loop has a mating pull. During operation, this can mean that once the knot is tied and the end of the string is cut, no more pulling force is applied to the loop by the driver, and thus there is no longer a counter-tension. The latch can be configured to release the loop when there is no counter pull. This release of the loop can cause the loop to be pulled by the ribbon-like substrate being conveyed, and the loop is disposed around the ribbon-like substrate.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a guide plate for guiding the ribbon-like substrate through the effective area of the driver. This guide plate can be arranged, for example, at a right angle to the path inlet.

[0055] In certain embodiments, the guide plate is designed such that after the holding device is released, the formed loop is first folded back on the guide plate and then passed to the next processing step together with the corresponding fibrous substrate portion by conveying the ribbon-like substrate.

[0056] In certain embodiments, the guide plate has a tapered end face in the longitudinal direction of the ribbon-like substrate.

[0057] In certain embodiments, the width of the guide plate is adapted to the length of the extracted string to be achieved.

[0058] In certain embodiments, the apparatus according to the invention further comprises a knot control unit for checking the knots tied by the knotting assembly. In particular, the knot control unit may include an optical, mechanical, and / or electrical knot control unit. For example, a visual knot control unit can be realized by guiding a camera into the knotting area and visually inspecting the knots. A mechanical knot control unit can be provided that prevents the tied extraction string from being further conveyed when there is no knot.

[0059] In certain embodiments, the orbital path is drivable. Particularly preferably, the orbital path has teeth such that the orbital path can be driven by a toothed belt. Particularly preferably, the orbital path can be uniformly accelerated and perform a rotation about the axis of rotation. In this embodiment, the driver can be firmly connected to the orbital path by being riveted and / or bolted to the orbital path.

[0060] Particularly preferably, the driver is designed to be replaceable and can be detachably attached to the drivable orbital path. In this embodiment, the toothed belt can be connected to a belt drive unit that can accelerate or decelerate the orbital path in the area division manner according to the invention via a drive control unit. This can result in an orbital path that shows a radial range with different speeds of the driver.

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

[0062] In certain embodiments, the lacing assembly includes at least one lacing mandrel that is rotationally driven parallel to the direction of rotation of the orbital path. The present invention provides an apparatus for tying the ends of a string so as to form a loop, which is easy to maintain and is suitable for supplying corresponding loops to a ribbon-like substrate at a high frequency so that it can be formed on the extraction string of a tampon. The apparatus according to the present invention achieves this in a continuously operating manner and is thus suitable for the requirements of modern continuous manufacturing processes.

[0063] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that all the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other in the embodiments according to the present invention as long as they are not mutually exclusive.

[0064] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for tying the ends of a string, in particular for tying two string sections of a string end (Verknotung eines Fadenendes, insbesondere von zwei Fadenstrecken eines Fadenendes; knotting a thread end, in particular two thread sections of a thread end), so as to form a loop for forming a recovery string for a tampon.

[0065] In certain embodiments, this method is carried out using the apparatus according to the present invention described above. Thus, the functional features described above with respect to this apparatus are at the same time possible method features of the method according to the present invention.

[0066] The method according to the present invention includes guiding the string end of the string along an orbital path by a driver movable on the orbital path such that a loop of two string sections of the string end is formed between the lacing assembly and an envelope element (Umschlagselement; envelope element) along the orbital path around the lacing assembly and the envelope element.

[0067] The method according to the invention further comprises the step of tying two string portions by a knot assembly and releasing a loop in an envelope element. In the method according to the invention, the track path has a knotting region where the driver travels horizontally at a first speed and a turnover region where the driver travels horizontally at a second speed. For this purpose, an acceleration region where the driver is accelerated to the second speed and a deceleration region where the driver is decelerated to the first speed can be provided at the transition portion between the knotting region and the turnover region.

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

[0069] During operation, for example, the driver guides the string end along the track path from the string bobbin. This track path guides the string past the envelope element so that a tension is generated between the envelope element and the driver. Further, this creates an eye of the loop. On its further path, the driver now guides the two string portions to the knot assembly, thereby tying the two string ends.

[0070] In a particular embodiment of the method according to the invention, the supply of the string end from the string on the bobbin (Faden auf einer Spule; a thread on a bobbin) to the movable driver on the track path occurs via a restoring force. Thereby, a stable tension is maintained in the string regardless of the track that the driver completes on the track path. It should be noted that the driver can follow a circular track path, but the string can be directly guided by the string package (Fadenspule; thread package) or by a deflection roller that can be connected therebetween.

[0071] The restoring force can act on the string, for example, by a spring-biased lever or a driven intermediate bobbin being arranged between the driver and the string bobbin. In a particular embodiment, these elements are arranged outside the radial extent of the track path.

[0072] In certain embodiments, releasing the loop includes cutting the end of the string from the string. This cutting can be performed essentially simultaneously with tying the string portion. In particular, this cutting is performed immediately after tying the string portion.

[0073] In a particularly preferred embodiment, cutting the end of the string also facilitates releasing the loop by preventing the restoring force from acting on the tied loop due to the absence of reverse tension, and thus releases the loop.

[0074] In certain embodiments, the ratio of the first speed to the second speed is from 1:2 to 1:6. In other words, the movement of the driver in the range of the first speed occurs at a speed that is substantially one-half to one-sixth of the speed in the second range.

[0075] In another particular embodiment, the first speed is the speed that the driver has when passing through the string tying area, i.e., when the string portion is in the string tying assembly and the string portion is being tied by the string tying mandrel.

[0076] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the string tying area, the turnover area, and the acceleration area or deceleration area are defined as angles of a circular orbital path. In certain embodiments, the string tying area comprises a range of 5 - 45° of the orbital path, preferably 10 - 30° of the orbital path, more preferably 15° of the orbital path. Thus, the remaining portion of the complete orbital path, i.e., 355 - 315°, particularly 350 - 330°, and even more particularly 345°, forms the turnover area.

[0077] Particularly preferably, the orbital path has an acceleration area and a deceleration area where the corresponding speeds are recorded. Particularly preferably, the acceleration area and the deceleration area are located within the turnover area.

[0078] In these regions, the driver is accelerated or decelerated to the corresponding speed while proceeding in the turnover region or the knotting region, respectively. Particularly preferably, the acceleration and deceleration of the driver are carried out by the drive unit and controlled by the drive control system. In this example, the drive control system periodically transitions from the first speed to the second speed and back again so that the same angular range of the orbital path along which the driver is moving is always used for the corresponding acceleration or deceleration, and the movement of the driver can be designed to be intermittently controlled.

[0079] In a specific embodiment of the method according to the invention, the starting position P 0 can be considered, for example, as the position where the driver makes an angle of 0° or approximately 0° with respect to the center of the circular orbital path. In the context of the present invention, approximately 0° or approximately X° should be understood as a deviation of at most 1°.

[0080] In a specific embodiment, the knotting region includes an angle of 0 to 45°, particularly 0 to 30°, and particularly 15°.

[0081] In another specific embodiment, the acceleration region is adjacent to the knotting region. In another specific embodiment, the knotting region is at an angle of 0° to 15°, and the acceleration region starts immediately after that.

[0082] In a specific embodiment, by releasing the loop on the envelope element, the resettable latch is released. The latch is configured to exert a releasable restoring force in the direction of the driver and / or the knotting assembly.

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

[0084] In certain embodiments, the method according to the present invention further includes the step of providing an apparatus for tying the string ends as described above, and the step of passing the ribbon-shaped substrate through the effective area of the driver so that the string ends are placed around the ribbon-shaped substrate. In particular, the string ends are placed around the ribbon-shaped substrate such that when the driver orbits along the orbital path, the string ends are placed around the ribbon-shaped substrate, and the step of passing the ribbon-shaped substrate through is arranged substantially perpendicular to the orbital path of the driver.

[0085] During operation, the apparatus according to the present invention can be installed in a system for manufacturing tampons such that the apparatus is operably connected in a state perpendicular to the orbital path or the axis of rotation of the driver. For this purpose, corresponding supply openings can be provided, which, as described above, can supply the ribbon-shaped substrate to, for example, a fiber supply section. The fiber supply section is configured such that the formed loop is arranged around the fiber supply section by the movement of the driver, and the ribbon-shaped substrate is arranged inside this fiber supply section perpendicular to or at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the string. When the loop is formed and separated, the loop falls onto the ribbon-shaped substrate.

[0086] In certain embodiments, the ribbon-shaped substrate is guided onto a guide plate where the loop first drops, and as it progresses, the loop is arranged on the ribbon-shaped substrate by the tapered end face, and the guide plate does not interfere with the ribbon-shaped substrate within its transport path.

[0087] Therefore, another aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for manufacturing a tampon having a proximal extraction string. The extraction string comprises two string ends connected to each other. The apparatus comprises an apparatus for tying the two ends of the string as described at the beginning.

[0088] The apparatus further comprises a transport device for transporting the ribbon-shaped substrate within the effective area of the apparatus for tying the two ends of the string. In particular, the transport device is arranged substantially perpendicular to the orbital path of the driver for supplying the two string portions to the string-tying assembly.

[0089] Another aspect and / or particular embodiment of the present invention relates to an apparatus for tying the string ends, in particular the string ends of the extraction string for a tampon, such that a loop is formed around the ribbon-like substrate. The apparatus may further comprise any of the features of the above apparatus that are not inconsistent with the following features.

[0090] This apparatus includes a string tying assembly for tying two string portions of the string ends.

[0091] This apparatus further comprises a driver for supplying the string portion to the string tying assembly, the driver being rotatably supported along an orbital path around a path inlet for passing the ribbon-like substrate, in particular rotatably supported along a circular orbital path. The apparatus further comprises a pickup disposed substantially perpendicular to the path inlet, the pickup being configured to receive the string portion from the driver and place the string on the ribbon-like substrate. In the context of the present invention, substantially perpendicular should be understood to be arranged within an angular range of 85° to 95° with respect to the plane of the ribbon-like substrate.

[0092] Using the pickup arranged in this way, the string can be gently placed on the ribbon-like substrate, for example, an absorbent cotton tape. Overall, the placing operation is gentle, which makes it possible to increase the processing speed and improve the reliability. The apparatus operates more smoothly overall despite the high speed. The improvement in reliability also makes it possible to shorten the maintenance interval and reduce malfunction, enabling better utilization of the entire apparatus.

[0093] In a particular embodiment, the pickup is substantially made of metal. This can enhance durability and reduce wear. The pickup is particularly preferably made of stainless steel. The pickup is manufactured with a lightweight design at least in its movable part, that is, the material is saved as much as possible by means of recesses provided in the pickup lever, which can lead to, for example, material savings and thereby also weight savings.

[0094] Alternatively, at least one pickup hook for receiving the pickup, especially the string part, is made of a ceramic material.

[0095] In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a guide plate for guiding a ribbon-shaped substrate through the effective area of the driver. In another particular embodiment, the apparatus comprises a stopper plate. This stopper plate can be arranged between the guide plate and the pickup so that the ribbon-shaped substrate does not come into contact with the pickup when the pickup places the string path. Thereby, the smooth operation of the apparatus can be improved.

[0096] In certain embodiments, the pickup comprises a pickup spring that exerts a restoring force on a pickup hook configured to receive the string part. The restoring force is preferably set to be overcome by tying two string parts of the string end by a string tying assembly. During operation, for example, by tying, the pickup lever is lowered against the restoring force of the pickup spring, and the loop thus formed can be gently placed on the substrate tape. As soon as the string part is released from the pickup hook, the restoring force can act on the pickup hook so that the pickup hook bounces back to its original position and is ready to receive the next string part of the subsequent string end.

[0097] By sliding the loop substantially smoothly on the ribbon-shaped substrate, the smoothness of the apparatus can be enhanced, and a further improvement in the processing speed can be enabled.

[0098] In certain embodiments, a pickup configured to place a string part from a driver on a ribbon-shaped substrate includes a spring element that exerts a restoring force on the pickup. The spring element can facilitate returning the pickup to an angled state after the string part is placed.

[0099] In certain embodiments, the lacing assembly has openings suitable for guiding two string portions into the effective area of the lacing assembly when the two string portions are guided into the effective area of the lacing assembly by a radially passing driver.

[0100] In certain embodiments, the lacing assembly has a lacing eyelet that is suitable for guiding at least one string portion into the lacing area of the lacing assembly when the string portion is guided into the lacing area of the lacing assembly by a radially passing driver. Preferably, the lacing eyelet has a guiding shape for this purpose that is designed to be aligned with the direction of rotation of the driver.

[0101] The apparatus for manufacturing a tampon according to the present invention has a conveying device for conveying a ribbon-shaped substrate, and this conveying device conveys two string ends into the effective area of the device for tying the two string ends while the driver moves in an orbital motion along an orbital path, such that the string ends are placed essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon-shaped substrate around the ribbon-shaped substrate.

[0102] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the figures and specific examples. For those skilled in the art, further advantageous embodiments that can be realized by the solution according to the present invention will result from the study of these examples and figures.

[0103] The figures are schematic and, for the sake of simplicity, the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

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

Brief Description of the Drawings

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Figure 9

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0106] Figure 1 shows the schematic structure of the device 1 for tying the ends of a string according to the present invention. The purpose of tying is that the two untied ends of the string first form an eyelet, and the untied ends are tied together to form a firm loop. In the described application method, the loop is wound around a ribbon-like material such that both legs of the loop are each placed on one side perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the belt. When the ribbon-like material is wound up to form, for example, a tampon for a woman's menstruation, the loop is placed inside the tampon. The tied ends of the string protrude from the tampon, and the knot and the loop formed together with the knot can function as, for example, a pull-out string for removing the tampon.

[0107] The orbital path 4 is first wound around a fibrous material and provided in the device 1 for the purpose of tying the ends of the string. In this example, the orbital path is circular. By the circular design of the orbital path, advantageous effects can be achieved. An object moving on a circular path can be moved at a constant radial speed. The bearings and / or drive means can be designed to receive a substantially uniform load and accordingly avoid or at least minimize the influence of imbalance. Furthermore, the control of the individual elements (see the synchronization of the string-tying mandrel and the string driver described later) is simplified. The acceleration and deceleration of the elements can be carried out in cooperation with the angular segments, and as a result, fine adjustment is also possible, and such adjustment is particularly useful when adapting the device according to the present invention to new string materials and / or fibrous materials. For this purpose, those skilled in the art can adjust the control of the operation of the elements as needed according to the string tension, elasticity, and frictional resistance.

[0108] In this example, the driver 5 moves along this orbital path 4 in the rotational direction R at different speeds. For simplicity, this rotational direction R coincides with the clockwise direction and will be used as a reference in the further process of this application for explaining the rotational directions of other components. Of course, the device according to the present invention can also be designed as a mirror image, and the corresponding rotational directions can be exactly opposite.

[0109] The driver 5 is used to carry the string from a string bobbin (not shown in FIG. 1) along the track path 4 and thereby arrange the string around some elements of the device 1.

[0110] On the way, the driver 5 winds the string around the first pin 9.2 which, in this example, functions as an envelope element in particular. The pin 9.2 keeps one eye open during the continuous movement around the track path. When moving along the track path 4, the driver 5 performs a complete revolution as a whole, enabling, for example, the string that may be arranged by the string bobbin at the edge opposite to the first pin 9.2 to form a loop between the string bobbin and the second pin 9.1. In the simplest embodiment, this second pin 9.1 is designed as a mandrel or blade that protrudes into the effective space of the driver 5 from the rear wall where the elements of the device are arranged and may also be drivable. In this simplest case, the first pin 9.1 is also a mandrel, for example, a mandrel that is tapered towards the observer in FIG. 1, from which the knotted string loop can easily slide down in the direction of the observer. For example, the string loop is carried out by a belt conveyor extending perpendicular to the track path 4 of the device 1. In a particular advantageous embodiment, the first pin 9.2 can be replaced by other electric holding devices such as an operating lever or a releasable latch.

[0111] Deflection fins 7 are provided to prevent the string end released from the first pin formed as a mandrel from hitting the ribbon-like substrate too strongly in the loop. The deflection fins 7 also extend into the effective area and inside the loop, capture the loop when the loop is released from the mandrel, and gently release such a tapered end in the tape running direction onto the ribbon-like material.

[0112] The ribbon-shaped material enters the effective area of the driver 5 through the path inlet 8. In the simplest embodiment, the path inlet 8 is a recess in the rear wall of the device. The fiber guide plate (Bandfuehrungsblech; web guide plate) 6 protrudes into the effective area (Wirkbereich; effective region) of the device through the path inlet 8 and is arranged to guide the ribbon-shaped material into the device via a drive device, such as a roller (not shown). On this tape guide plate (Bandfuehrungsblech; tape guide plate) 6, the ribbon-shaped material is conveyed into the active area (Wirkbereich; active area) of the driver 5. When the driver passes through the second guide pin 9.1, the tape guide plate 6, and thus the ribbon-shaped substrate, is placed in the eye of the loop formed by the two leg portions of the string carried by the driver 5.

[0113] During this movement process, the driver 5 passes through the turnover area at a certain speed.

[0114] At the opposite end of the first pin 9.1, a string-tying assembly 3 arranged within the string-tying eyelet 2 is placed.

[0115] In this example, the driver, here, passes through the string-tying area at a speed different from the speed of the turnover area. Thereby, the driver 5 can proceed through the turnover area at a speed two to five times the speed at which it proceeds within the string-tying area. This string-tying area starts from where the action of the string-tying assembly begins to act on the end of the string, or where the string-tying assembly connects the two leg portions of the loop and forms a knot. In this example, the string-tying area starts approximately after the driver 5 passes through the second pin 9.1 and forms a loop around the first pin 9.2, and the tape guide plate 6 is present inside this loop. The corresponding string-tying area and turnover area can be defined as the angle of the orbital path 4.

[0116] The speed of the driver 5 is variable, and the driver 5 can be controlled and driven in order to be accelerated and decelerated. When the driver 5 is in the knotting area, the knotting mandrel (not shown in FIG. 1) rotates, within the knotting assembly 3, in a direction opposite to the rotational direction R1 of the driver 5, in particular 1.5 turns. Finally, the driver 5 passes through the effective area of the cutting blade 14 that cuts the end of the string, thus enabling the tied string loop to be led away. The driver 5 picks up another string end and continues to move in the rotational direction R.

[0117] In FIG. 2, the sectoring of the effective area according to FIG. 1, using the angular opening of the track path 4 according to the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, is explained again in more detail. FIG. 2 schematically shows again the track path 4 of FIG. 1. The center M of the circular track path 4 is also shown. The driver is guided on the radial extent of the track path 4. The processing cycle starts when the driver 5 guides an untied string end across the turnover area U. This turnover area U may include a first acceleration area B1. In the acceleration area B1, the driver accelerates to a second speed. This second speed can be more than 500 rpm (with respect to the track), and in this example is in the range of 510 rpm. In the acceleration area B1, an acceleration of 200 - 950 rad / s 2 can occur.

[0118] The initial speed of the driver 5 at the start of the acceleration area B1 corresponds to a constant speed that the driver maintains throughout the passage through the knotting area V. The constant relatively slow speed within the knotting area V enables the knotting assembly 3 to tie the loop end supplied by the driver. In this example, during the knotting area V, the speed of the driver is between one - fifth and one - sixth of the maximum speed of the turnover area U. Specifically, the driver 5 leaves the knotting area V here at a speed of 50 - 15 rpm, in particular approximately 90 rpm.

[0119] When re-entering the knotting region V, to ensure that the speed of the driver is decelerated from half of the maximum speed at which the driver advances within the turnover region U to a constant speed that is one-sixth thereof, the turnover region U comprises a second acceleration region B2 and a virtual deceleration region B2, where the speed around the driver is decelerated at an acceleration of, for example, 200 - 950 wheel / s 2 and decelerated at an acceleration of.

[0120] In this example, the knotting region may include an angle of approximately 15°.

[0121] Therefore, depending on the setting of the parameters by those skilled in the art, there is a time interval in the knotting region of 0.015 - 0.05 seconds for forming the knot. Overall, the speed of the driver in this particular exemplary embodiment is such that it performs a complete revolution within a period of 0.08 - 0.18 seconds. In this example, a time period of 0.028 seconds for the knotting region V and, respectively, an acceleration of approximately +940 rad / s in the acceleration region B1 2 and an acceleration of approximately -940 rad / s in the acceleration region B2 2 and a time period of 0.053 seconds for the turnover region U can be defined.

[0122] This makes it possible to provide a knotting device as described at the beginning of this paper that enables a very high throughput, while at the same time having less material wear and being able to operate with little maintenance effort.

[0123] Figure 3 shows a possible embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention. In this example, the driver 5 is firmly connected to the track path 4, which can be driven by teeth via a toothed belt (not shown). The track path 4 is arranged around a ring bearing. The driver 5 has a string clamp 5.1 that grips the string end 30. By moving on the track path 4, the driver 5 unwinds the string from a string bobbin (not shown). In this example, the rewinding occurs via the movement of the driver 5 on the track path 4 and is thus continuous. However, an intermediate deflection roller or unwinding roller that actively supplies the string to the driver is also conceivable.

[0124] In this example, the first pin 9.2 is replaced by a holding device 10 having holding teeth 10.1, 10.2. These holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 hold the loop end of the string end 30 in an open state so that an eyelet is formed. In the actual operation of tampon manufacturing, this forms an end face, i.e., the distal end of the withdrawn string, which is essentially placed inside the tampon.

[0125] When the driver 5 moves along the track path 4, the leg part is placed on the holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 such that the loop is held (aufgehaltenen; held up) until a string end facing away from the knot of the proximal loop end, i.e., the end face, occurs. Inside the stopped (aufgehaltenen; stopped) loop is a fiber guide plate 6, and the ribbon-shaped substrate is guided over the fiber guide plate 6 through the effective area of the device 1. Deflection fins 7 are provided to first capture the slack of the string and place the string on the ribbon-shaped substrate via a tapered end. The deflection fins 7 are initially designed to extend within the effective area of the device parallel to the conveying direction of the ribbon-shaped material and taper on the end face to allow the loop to slide off smoothly. In certain embodiments, the deflection fins 7 can be installed in the device 1 in a replaceable and / or adjustable manner so that a person skilled in the art can easily fine-tune the operating parameters for string length, elasticity, etc.

[0126] The driver 5 guides the loop ends that move around the holding teeth, around the tape guide plate 6, and around the deflection fins 7, to the lacing assembly 3. There, both loop ends are guided and are tied by the lacing eye part at the lacing mandrel.

[0127] Downstream of the lacing assembly, a blade for cutting the end of the string may be provided (not shown).

[0128] The entire device 1 is attached to the machine frame 11.

[0129] The holding device 10 designed as a latch, which can be used in the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 3, is illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b. The holding device 10 has two holding teeth 10.1, 10.2. The holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 serve to hold the loop formed while the driver 5 moves radially on a path around the holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 in an open state. The holding teeth 10.1, 10.2 are formed as a latch on the latch arm 1.6 and are rotatably mounted around the latch pin 10.3.

[0130] The holding device 10 is also designed with a locking screw and a locking plate 10.4, and thus can be displaceably mounted within the device. Again, this makes it easier for those skilled in the art to adapt the device to the properties of the string material and the desired tape width, speed, string part, etc. For this purpose, the locking plate 10.4 can also be displaceably arranged along the groove of the axis with respect to the fiber supply part using a screw. This displaceability ensures that in particular, it is possible to accommodate different string parts and desired loop sizes.

[0131] In order to ensure that the latch arm 10.6 returns to its original starting position after being released once, a restoring force or mechanism such as a spring or a pneumatic cylinder can be provided.

[0132] In this example, the latch arm 10.10 is also spring-loaded with a restoring force via a damper 10.5 having a stopper 10.9. With this suspension, it is possible for the string not to break within the envelope. The spring acts directly on the string end of the driver and ensures some play at the string end (see also the driver spring in FIG. 8). Thus, the string is firmly and yet gently guided, allowing sufficient play to be guided and tied without breaking.

[0133] In this particular embodiment, the holding device is configured to exert a force of 5 to 25 N, preferably 7.5 to 15 N, preferably substantially 10 N on the string loop.

[0134] FIG. 4b shows the holding device of FIG. 4a with the latch released, i.e., the latch arm released. In this state, the loop that was previously held by the holding teeth 10.1, 1.2 is released and the process control proceeds to the next step. The spring 10.10 is released and the stopper 10.9 is released. The release is effected by the rotation of the latch lever 10.6 around the latch pin 10.3. During operation, the holding device 10 configured in this way immediately returns to the state shown in FIG. 4a so as to be ready to receive a new string loop. In this example, a pneumatic cylinder can be used to return the latch lever to its original position. Depending on the spring strength setting and the desired force to be exerted on the string loop of 5 to 25 N, preferably 7.5 to 15 N, preferably essentially 10 N, the stopper 10.9 must also be pressed against the spring force of the released spring 10.10.

[0135] FIG. 5 shows a further advantageous embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention.

[0136] The device 1 comprises a track path 4 which can be driven by means of a toothed belt via a toothing 4.1. A drive control unit is provided which is designed to continuously adjust the speed of the track path 4 mounted on the machine frame 11 by means of a ring bearing.

[0137] In particular, the drive control unit is configured such that the track path can travel at a first speed in a first range and at a second speed in a second range. A firmly connected driver 5 is carried in the rotational direction R (clockwise) of the track path.

[0138] A tape guide plate 6 extends through the device, through which a ribbon-like material enters the effective area of the driver 5, and a loop is formed around the ribbon-like substrate by the path of the driver 5 around the holding device 5 and the knotting assembly 3. A knotted eyelet 2 is provided which is designed to be chamfered radially and aligned in the rotational direction in order to guide the loop end correctly into the knotting assembly 3.

[0139] The device further comprises a knotting hook 12 which is driven by a drive wheel 13. The pin-shaped knotting hook 12 comprises a hook end 12.1 and a drive end 12.2 which is connected to the drive wheel 13 and supported by the drive wheel 13. During operation, the hook end 12.2 engages in the loop and opens it perpendicular to the rotational plane of the track path adjacent thereto. For this purpose, the drive pulley 13 is arranged at right angles to the track path 4 and is driven accordingly perpendicular to the track path 4.

[0140] In a particular embodiment, the knotting hook 12 can accurately supply the loop end to the knotting assembly and / or, after the string end has been cut, can facilitate the removal of the knotted loop by moving the knotted loop out of the effective area in the rotational direction of the drive wheel 13 by means of the hook end 12.

[0141] The drive wheel 13 of the lacing hook 12 is driven such that its movement and speed are synchronized with the driver 5. In other words, the drive wheel can be designed to complete one revolution, for example, within the time it takes for the driver to move once around the entire orbital path.

[0142] In a further additional or alternative embodiment, during lacing, the lacing hook 12 can prevent the string end from entering the effective area of the cutting element too early by being pulled by the driver. In this example, this can be facilitated by pulling the loop by the lacing hook 12, and thus the unfinished loop end to be laced can be kept away from the cutting element. In this embodiment, the lacing hook 12 is preferably clock-controlled synchronously with the lacing assembly 3 via the drive wheel 13 so as to complete one revolution during the time required for the lacing assembly 3 to form the knot, i.e., during one to two revolutions.

[0143] Figure 5b shows a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to Figure 5. Surprisingly, in order to reduce the overall moving mass, it has been found that a mass saving with high controllability and quiet operation can be achieved using a drive wheel 13' preferably having three symmetrically arranged outriggers. Four-arm or multi-arm drive wheels are also conceivable.

[0144] Figure 6 shows the details of the device described in the brief description of the above drawings, showing a suitable lacing assembly 3 and driver 5.

[0145] The illustrated driver 5 is firmly connected to the orbital path 4 and is arranged directly adjacent to the lacing assembly 3 for illustrative purposes. The driver may be in this position, for example, at the start of entry into the lacing area. The loop end of the string end is not shown for simplicity.

[0146] The knotting assembly 3 includes a knotting mandrel 3.1 disposed within the knotting eyelet 2 and configured to rotate counterclockwise within the knotting eyelet 2. In the process, the knotting mandrel 3.1 performs a sinking operation with its tip facing the string loop, and engages with the loop end held by the driver and the holding device. Due to the pressure of the loop end, the rotation of the knotting mandrel, and the guide on the knotting eyelet, a knot is formed while the knotting mandrel rotates one to two times, preferably 1.5 times.

[0147] The knotting eyelet 2 is provided with a guide shape 2.1 aligned outwardly, i.e., radially. During operation, the loop end is first guided by the guide shape 2.1 and then guided to the effective area of the knotting mandrel 3.1 that rotates in a direction opposite to the orbital path of the driver 5 as it advances along the path of the driver 5.

[0148] In this example, the driver 5 has a driver gripper 5.1 with a restoring force, through which the loop is guided to the knot with sufficient play.

[0149] Finally, the second loop end enters the effective area of the knotting mandrel 3.1 and is tied to the first loop end.

[0150] FIG. 7a shows a schematic side view of the knotting assembly of FIG. 6 without the knotting eyelet. The knotting assembly essentially comprises an exchangeable knotting mandrel 3.1, which is removably and firmly connected via a mandrel foot 3.3 to a drive pulley 3.5 rotatably mounted. Overall, the illustrated knotting assembly 3 has a multi-component design. The knotting mandrel 3.1 includes a first mandrel extension 3.1, a second mandrel extension 3.2 aligned in parallel, and a string guide opening 3.4 also aligned in parallel to the mandrel extensions. During operation, the two-part mandrel shape and the string guide opening 3.4 ensure that the knotted string loop is discharged from the knotting assembly after knotting.

[0151] As can be seen in FIG. 7b, the horizontally chamfered and radially aligned string tying eyelet 2 has corresponding recesses.

[0152] Suitable for the device according to the invention is a driver firmly connected in the rotational direction to the track path. The driver can be removably connected to the track path, for example, by one or more clamping screws extending over the entire side surface of the track path. For this purpose, pre-punched recesses can be provided, for example, in the track path.

[0153] Also, a first spring element can be provided on the driver that extends over the entire side thickness of the track path and connects the rear element of the driver to the front element of the driver. In this example, the front element of the driver is an element that guides the string end into the effective area of the holding device and the string tying assembly. Thereby, the first spring element can create an effective connection between the spring arranged on the rear side and the string clamp provided on the front side. During operation, this results in a string clamp that gives some play due to the spring action to the string end. For example, together with the spring-loaded holding device described above, this can facilitate tying by the string tying assembly, prevent breakage of the string end, and enable faster processing.

[0154] Figure 8a shows another aspect or a particular embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated apparatus is suitable for placing the string end around a ribbon-like substrate, such as a cotton tape for a tampon, and tying two string portions of this string end so that a loop can be formed. When this cotton tape is wound up, wound, and / or folded, these string portions of the string end protrude from the resulting tampon and can function as extraction strings. Thus, when the ends of the string are tied, a loop is formed around the ribbon-like substrate. The string end (not shown) is unwound from the driver 5. The driver 5 is firmly connected to the toothed rotating wheel 20. This rotating wheel 20 can be driven, for example, by a drive belt or a drive wheel (not shown), and preferably, each can be accelerated or decelerated. The rotating wheel 20 is mounted on the track path 4 so that the driver 5 can perform a circular motion. In the process, the driver guides the string end through various processing units.

[0155] While rotating completely around the track path 4, the string is wound once around a substrate tape, such as a cotton tape, which is conveyed to the center within the effective area of the driver. The string end is first placed around the pickup, which first holds the string end and holds the resulting loop in an open state. Further string portions of the string end are placed on the deflection fins.

[0156] Then, the open string end is passed to the string tying assembly 3, where the two string portions of the string end are tied to each other. The guide shape 2.1 formed in the string tying eyelet ensures that the untied string piece is accurately guided to the tying string piece.

[0157] The loop thus created is fed away together with the cotton tape in the direction of the normal of the image plane. The pickup 15 enables the created loop to slide off onto the base tape in a controlled manner by lowering the pickup lever 15.4 and by releasing the string portion held by the pickup hook 15.1. For this purpose, the pickup lever 15.4 is pivotably attached to the joint 15.2. The pickup spring 15.3 exerts a restoring force on the pickup hook 15.1. This is overcome by the tying process of the string tying assembly 3 and the corresponding pulling force at the string end. When the pickup lever 15.4 is in its maximum lowered position, the pickup lever 15.4 releases the string portion and then returns to its initial angular position by the restoring force.

[0158] After tying, the end of the string passes through the cutting blade 14 and the cutting blade 14 cuts the loop. The driver 5 starts a new rotation on the track path 4 together with the new string end. The elements described above are attached to the machine frame 11 and enable a tape inlet for the base tape through a recess provided in the center of the machine frame 11.

[0159] The base tape is guided horizontally by the tape guide plate 6. In addition to the tape guide plate, a stopper plate 6.1 is formed parallel to the tape guide plate, and the stopper plate 6.1 prevents the pickup hook from interfering with the belt conveyance of the ribbon-shaped base material.

[0160] The biasing fin 7 guides the end of the string from the opposite side near the cotton tape, enabling the created loop to slide through the end of the biasing fin 7 which is tapered in the conveying direction of the cotton tape, i.e., towards the plane of the observer. Further, the biasing fin exerts the resistance necessary for the string tying assembly to tie the string end by means of the notch. After the loop is finally tied and the string tying hook (see Fig. 5a or Fig. 5b) guides the created loop away from the base tape, the biasing fin 7 guides the loop onto the ribbon-shaped substrate through the tapered shape of the biasing fin 7. The bulbous shape following the notch also ensures the tensile resistance necessary to release the loop from the string tying eyelet 2.

[0161] With the illustrated apparatus and the resulting gentle placement of the string loop on the cotton tape, high-reliability high-speed processing can be achieved. This apparatus can similarly drive the corresponding acceleration and variable speed of the driver 5 as described in the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 7.

[0162] Fig. 8b shows a cross-section of the pickup 15 at the upper end of the orbital path. The pickup 15 is arranged to form an angle of 95° or less and 85° or more with respect to the plane of the tape guide plate (not shown in this figure), and thus with respect to the ribbon-shaped substrate. Here, the angle is when viewed from the center of the end face of the pickup hook 15.1. The pickup hook 15.1 is substantially hook-shaped at the end of the pickup lever 15.4 and is suitable for receiving the string portion (not shown) of the string end. The pickup lever 15.4 is pivotally mounted about the joint 15.2 and is shown at an angle in Fig. 8b. A pickup spring is operatively connected between the pickup lever 15.4 and the machine frame 11 so that a restoring force acts on the pickup lever 15.4. The pickup 15 is bolted to the machine frame 11 by the flange 22 together with the screw 21. The orbital path is connected radially around the pickup 15. Grooves 23 and teeth 24 are shown in Fig. 8b and these can be operatively connected to a drive belt or belt, for example, an endless orbital belt.

[0163] In FIG. 8c, the pickup lever 15.4 shown in FIG. 8b is shown in an angular position that allows the pickup hook 15.1 to release the string portion it has been holding and allows the string portion to slide on the base tape. The pickup spring 15.3 is fully extended and exerts sufficient restoring force on the pickup lever. When the string path leaves the pickup hook, the pickup lever returns to the angular position of FIG. 8b, ready to pick up a new string piece.

[0164] FIG. 8d shows in detail another area of the embodiment of FIG. 8a. The string tying assembly 3, the driver 5, and the cutting blade 14 are illustrated. The driver 5 is designed to unwind the string end and form a loop as it travels along the orbital path of the device during operation. The two string portions are guided towards each other within the string tying assembly 3 so that they can be tied. The string tying assembly 3 is a composite component surrounded on the outside by the string tying eyelet 2. The string tying eyelet 2 has a guiding shape 2.1 on the side facing the direction of rotation, which serves to accommodate the untied string pieces. Above the string tying assembly 3 is provided a cutting blade 14, which is firmly connected to the machine frame via the cutting blade holder 14.2. The cutting blade holder holds the replaceable blade 14.1 in the effective area of the driver, so that when the driver passes through the cutting blade, the loop is cut from the string end. The driver is firmly connected to a rotating wheel, which can be driven, for example, by a belt as already described.

[0165] The operation of embodiments 8a to 8d is schematically shown again in FIG. 9.

[0166] The device 1 comprises an orbital path 4 to which the driver 5 is movably attached around it. Thus, the driver 5 performs a circular motion around the path inlet 8 provided approximately in the center of the device 1, which serves to convey the ribbon-shaped substrate into the effective area of the driver 5 substantially perpendicular to the image plane.

[0167] When the driver moves along the orbital path 4, the driver carries the string end, and the string portion interacts with the individual elements of the device 1 arranged along the orbital path. First, a loop is formed at the string end around the path inlet 8. Two string portions of the string end are guided together through the string tying assembly 3 by the string tying eyelets 2 so that a string tying mandrel (not shown) can tie them. In this case, the string portion is held by a pickup 15 arranged substantially at a right angle above the base tape. Then, the string path is gently lowered onto the base tape by the pickup 15 against the restoring force. A stopper plate 6.1 may be provided above the ribbon-shaped base material so that the pickup 15 does not contact the ribbon-shaped base material, and as a result, it may interfere with the running of the ribbon-shaped base material. The ribbon-shaped base material is guided by a guide plate 6 at the path inlet 8.

[0168] A cutting blade 14 fixed on the orbital path 4 cuts the generated loop, and the loop is discharged together with the base tape by a string tying hook 12 as shown in, for example, FIGS. 5a or 5b. The formed loop is released from the string tying eyelet of the string tying assembly and slides onto the ribbon-shaped base material on the end face through the tapered deflection fins 7. When the ribbon-shaped base material is conveyed in the separating direction, the loop is pulled along with it and can protrude as an extraction string in the tampon produced by winding, folding, and / or compressing.

[0169] The present invention provides a device for tying an untied string end for manufacturing a tampon having an extraction string, and the device is safe during operation, easy to maintain, and capable of providing continuous mass production of tampons.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0170] 1 Device for tying the string end 2 String tying eyelet 2.1 Guide shape 3 String tying assembly 3.1 String tying mandrel 3.2 Second mandrel extension 3.4 String guide opening 3.5 Rotatably attached drive pulley 4 Track path 5 Driver 5.1 Driver gripper 6 Guide plate 6.1 Stopper plate 7 Deflection fin 8 Path entrance 9.2 First pin 9.1 Second pin 10 Holding device 10.1 First holding tooth 10.2 Second holding tooth 10.3 Latch pin 10.4 Lock plate 10.5 Damper 10.6 Latch arm 10.9 Stopper 10.10 Spring 11 Machine frame 12 String tying hook 12.1 Hook end 12.2 Drive end 13 Drive wheel 14 Cutting blade 14.1 Blade 14.2 Cutting blade holder 15 Pickup 15.1 Pickup hook 15.2 Joint 15.3 Pickup spring 15.4 Pickup lever 20 Rotating wheel 23 Groove 24 Tooth 30 String end B1 Acceleration region B2 Second acceleration region M Center V String tying region R Rotation direction U Turnover region

Claims

1. A device (1) for tying the ends of a withdrawal string for a tampon so that a loop is formed, comprising: a. a lace tying assembly (3) for tying two lace portions of the lace ends together; b. a driver (5) for feeding said lace sections to said lace tying assembly (3); c. a track path (4) along which the driver is guided around the lacing assembly (3), the orbital path having a lacing region (V) in which the driver can move at a first speed and an envelope region (U) in which the driver can move at a second speed; The device (1), characterized in that it further comprises a retaining device, designed as a latch, designed to exert a restoring force on the loop end of the string end to be tied.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a lace supply for continuously supplying lace ends to said driver.

3. 3. The device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a cutting element for severing the loop in the lace end.

4. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the orbital path is a substantially circular orbital path.

5. An apparatus as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a path inlet for passing the ribbon-shaped substrate through the active area of ​​the driver so that the string end is positioned around the ribbon-shaped substrate as the driver orbits on the orbital path.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a guide plate for guiding a ribbon-shaped substrate through an active area of ​​the driver.

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a knot control for inspecting the knot of two lace portions tied by the lace tying assembly (3).

8. 8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the orbital path is drivable and comprises a toothing by means of which the orbital path can be driven by a toothed belt so as to perform an acceleratable rotation about a rotation axis.

9. An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a direct drive for driving the driver.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising an electrical direct drive for driving the driver.

11. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a continuously accelerating orbital drive for driving the driver on the orbital path.

12. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the tying assembly comprises a rotatably driven tying mandrel.

13. 13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the apparatus is configured to guide the driver through the lacing region at a first speed, the first speed being slower than a second speed at which the driver is guided through the envelope region.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first speed has a maximum speed that is between one-half and one-ninth the maximum speed of the second speed.

15. An apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first speed is between 300 and 600° / sec and the second speed is between 500 and 4000° / sec.

16. 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the apparatus is configured to guide the driver through a lacing region at a first speed of 50 to 150 rpm and to guide the driver through an envelope region at a second speed of 200 to 600 rpm.

17. 17. The device of any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a drive control system for moving the driver at a first speed in the lacing area and at a second speed in an envelope area (U), the drive control system being adapted to guide the driver through the lacing area at the first speed such that the driver leaves the lacing area after the lacing assembly has made one or two revolutions opposite to a direction of the driver.

18. 1. A method for tying two string portions at string ends so that a loop is formed forming an withdrawal string for a tampon, said method comprising: a) guiding a string end of a string along a track path around the string tie assembly and the envelope element by a driver movable on a track path such that a loop of two string portions of the string end is formed between the string tie assembly and the envelope element; b. tying the two lace portions with the lace knot assembly and untying the loop at the envelope element; the orbital path having a lacing region (V) in which the driver is guided at a first speed and an envelope region (U) in which the driver is guided at a second speed; Undoing the loop on the envelope element releases a latch configured to exert a releasable restoring force towards the driver and / or the lacing assembly.

19. a. feeding a string end from a string on a bobbin to the driver movable on the orbital path is performed via a restoring force; b. the step of releasing the loop includes severing the string end from the string; 20. The method of claim 18.

20. 20. The method of claim 18 or 19, wherein the ratio of the first speed to the second speed is from 1:2 to 1:

6.

21. 21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the lacing area (V) comprises an angle of 5 to 45 degrees of the orbital path.

22. The method further comprising: a. Providing a device (1) for tying string ends so that a loop is formed, as described in claim 1; b) passing the ribbon-like substrate through an active area of ​​the driver such that the string ends are disposed around the ribbon-like substrate as the driver orbits on the track path, the passing of the ribbon-like substrate being disposed substantially perpendicular to the track path of the driver; The method of any one of claims 18 to 21, further comprising:

23. 1. An apparatus for manufacturing a tampon having a proximal withdrawal cord with two cord ends joined together, said apparatus comprising: a. a device for tying two lace ends according to any one of claims 1 to 17; b. a conveying device for conveying the ribbon-like substrate within an effective area of ​​the device for tying two string ends, the conveying device being disposed substantially perpendicular to the track path of a driver for feeding the two strings to a string tying assembly; wherein the conveying device for conveying the ribbon-shaped substrate conveys the string within the effective area of ​​the device for tying two string ends such that the string is placed around the ribbon-shaped substrate and approximately transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ribbon-shaped substrate during orbital movement of a driver along an orbital path.

24. A device (1) for tying the end of a withdrawal string for a tampon so that a loop is formed around a ribbon-like substrate, said device (1) comprising: a. a lace tying assembly (3) for tying two lace portions of the lace ends together; b. a driver (5) for feeding the lace portion to the lace tying assembly (3), the driver (5) being rotatable along an orbital path (4) around a path inlet (8) for threading a ribbon-like substrate such that a loop is formed; a pickup (15) disposed substantially perpendicular to the channel inlet (8) is provided for receiving the string portion from the driver and placing the string portion on the ribbon-like substrate; the orbital path having a lacing region (V) in which the driver can move at a first speed and an envelope region (U) in which the driver can move at a second speed; The device (1), characterized in that it further comprises a retaining device, designed as a latch, designed to exert a restoring force on the loop end of the string end to be tied.

25. The apparatus described in claim 24, wherein the driver is rotatable on a circular orbital path (4).

26. 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the pickup (15) is substantially made of metal.

27. Device according to any one of claims 24 to 26, comprising a pick-up spring (15.3) exerting a restoring force on the pick-up (15).

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