Apparatus and method for equipping tampon applicators with tampons
AssigneeRuggli AG
InventorsSamuel Schuler, Patrick Baumgartner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for equipping tampon applicators with tampons includes an encircling guide arrangement with an entry point, at which the tampon applicators are fed into the apparatus. The apparatus furthermore includes an exit point, at which equipped tampon applicators are discharged. The apparatus furthermore includes an equipping unit arranged between the entry point and the exit point and designed for equipping tampon applicators with tampons. A multiplicity of guide units which are guided on the guide arrangement serves for transporting the tampon applicators on the guide arrangement. A guide unit conveys tampon applicators on such apparatus, and a method equips tampon applicators with tampons.
Claims15
An apparatus for equipping tampon applicators with tampons, comprising
- a. an encircling guide arrangement with an entry point, at which the tampon applicators are fed into the apparatus, and with an exit point, at which equipped tampon applicators are discharged;
- b. an equipping unit arranged between the entry point and the exit point and designed for equipping tampon applicators with tampons;
- C. a multiplicity of guide units which are guided on the guide arrangement and which serves for transporting the tampon applicators on the guide arrangement, and
- wherein the guide units comprise at least one holding cassette with an applicator receptacle and a guide element, wherein the guide element comprises engagement means for the displaceable mounting of the guide unit on the guide arrangement, and the holding cassette is mounted movably with respect to the guide element, and
- wherein the guide units are mounted on the guide arrangement by means of rollers.
A method for equipping tampon applicators with tampons comprising the steps:
- a. providing an apparatus for equipping tampon applicators with tampons, the apparatus comprising:
- i. an encircling guide arrangement with an entry point, at which the tampon applicators are fed into the apparatus, and with an exit point, at which equipped tampon applicators are discharged;
- ii. an equipping unit arranged between the entry point and the exit point and designed for equipping tampon applicators with tampons;
- iii. a multiplicity of guide units which are guided on the guide arrangement and which serves for transporting the tampon applicators on the guide arrangement, and
- wherein the guide units comprise at least one holding cassette with an applicator receptacle and a guide element, wherein the guide element comprises engagement means for the displaceable mounting of the guide unit on the encircling guide arrangement, and the holding cassette is mounted movably with respect to the guide element, and
- wherein the guide units are mounted on the encircling guide arrangement by means of rollers,
- b. providing a guide unit of the multiplicity of guide units for transporting tampon applicators on the encircling guide arrangement;
- c. equipping an applicator receptacle of the at least one holding cassette of the guide unit with a tampon applicator at the entry point;
- d. displacing the guide unit on the encircling guide arrangement from the entry point to the equipping unit;
- e. equipping the tampon applicator with a tampon;
- and
- f. displacing the guide unit on the encircling guide arrangement from the equipping unit to the exit point, and discharging the equipped tampon applicator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.