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OwnerRaymond J. Hull JR., Gerd R. Rex +3inventors
InventorsRaymond J. Hull JR., Gerd R. Rex, Wilfried Baer, Masaki Kasahara, Toshio Sonoda
Estimating the term…
An improved apparatus and method compresses a cylindrical blank into a tampon which is dimensionally stable and which is provided with a domed insertion end. A cylindrical blank is radially compressed and then introduced into a cylindrical axial compression chamber. The blank is then subjected to an extreme axial overcompression. The closed insertion end of the compression chamber has a bore formed therethrough. The bore is generally coaxial and is adapted to accept a reciprocating ejection ram having a ram surface facing into the chamber. When the ram is seated in the first position, the ram surface and the insertion end wall of the compression chamber together form a smooth doming surface. The bore periphery is of a smaller diameter than the chamber and hence radially spaced from the side walls of the chamber, and the ram has sufficient clearance to move through the chamber and eject the tampon without interference from the walls of the chamber.
An apparatus for axially compressing a cylindrical blank into a tampon having a domed insertion end, said apparatus comprising:
A method for axially compressing a cylindrical blank having an insertion end, a withdrawal end, and cylindrical walls therebetween, into a dimensionally stable tampon comprising:
A dimensionally stable tampon comprising a cylindrical fibrous body having an insertion end, a withdrawal end and cylindrical side walls therebetween, said tampon being axially compressed from a blank, said tampon having a plurality of circular pleats formed around the axially compressed blank, said pleats being folded to overlie the next adjacent portion of the cylindrical wall of the tampon.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.