Tampon Press Jaws with Movable Segments for Smooth Ejection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tampon manufacturing processes using presses with crossing grooves are slow and prone to machine scuffing, resulting in a rough surface finish.
Innovation Solution
A new tampon press design with press jaws arranged in a star formation, featuring penetrating segments for longitudinal and side grooves that allow for simultaneous pressing and differential retraction to minimize surface contact during ejection, ensuring a smoother finish and faster production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a plurality of laterally-placed penetrating segments are used to form cross grooves in a press jaw, then side grooves can be formed, but the production speed decreases and machine scuffing occurs resulting in rough surface finish
Solution Approach 1:
The press jaw is designed with movable penetrating segments that can dynamically adjust their position. During the pressing operation, all segments are in contact with the tampon blank to form grooves. During ejection, the penetrating segments retract laterally to minimize contact with the tampon surface, preventing machine scuffing. This dynamic adjustment allows high-speed production while maintaining smooth surface finish.
Solution Approach 2:
The press jaw is divided into multiple independent penetrating segments arranged laterally. Each segment can be controlled independently to penetrate and form grooves in the tampon blank. This segmentation allows the segments to be retracted during ejection to prevent scuffing, while still forming the required cross grooves during pressing.
2Manufacturing precision
If penetrating segments are used to form grooves, then groove formation is achieved, but machine scuffing occurs during ejection resulting in rough surface finish
Solution Approach 1:
The penetrating segments are designed to be movable rather than fixed. During the pressing phase, they extend to form grooves in the tampon. During the ejection phase, they retract laterally to minimize contact with the tampon surface, thereby eliminating machine scuffing and producing a smooth finish.
Solution Approach 2:
The penetrating segments retract before the ejection process begins, preventing potential scuffing from occurring in the first place. This preliminary action of retraction eliminates the harmful effect of machine scuffing during tampon removal.
3Stability of the object's composition
If press jaws are kept in contact with tampon during ejection for stability, then tampon positioning is maintained, but surface scuffing occurs resulting in rough finish
Solution Approach 1:
The press jaw incorporates movable penetrating segments that can dynamically adjust their contact with the tampon. During ejection, the segments retract laterally to minimal contact, reducing friction and preventing scuffing while maintaining sufficient positioning stability through the remaining contact points.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a press (100) for manufacturing a tampon, comprising at least three press jaws (6) arranged in a star around a central longitudinal press axis (4) forming a press opening (2), whereby there is provided on a single or separate adjacent press jaws (6): —a penetrating segment, PSLG, (13) configured to penetrate the absorbing material with a longitudinal groove, and —penetrating segments, PSSG, (11) configured to penetrate the absorbing material with a plurality of side grooves that are arranged in the longitudinal direction, wherein the press is configured to: a) load a cylindrical blank (200) in the press opening (2), b) move the press jaws (6) to a closed position to press the cylindrical blank (200) so forming a preform (210), c) move the press jaws (6) to a holding position between the closed position and open position, so that the preform can be removed, d) remove the preform while the jaws (6) are in the holding position, and e) move the press jaws (6) to the open position for loading of a subsequent cylindrical blank. It further relates to a method for manufacture of the tampon.