Kimberly-clark Corporation

Noel J Rasmussen

Jeffrey Michael Weyenberg

Richard R Tews

Allan James Krueger

An apparatus is disclosed for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member. The apparatus includes first and second members. The first member is capable of holding the tubular member and has an external shoulder beyond which the first end of the tubular member extends a set amount. The second member is coaxially aligned with and is engageable with the first end of the tubular member. The second member includes a pilot which is sized to be inserted into the first end of the tubular member. The second member also includes a sleeve which surrounds the pilot and cooperates with the external shoulder when the second member engages the first end of the tubular member to form a curling chamber. The second member further includes a curling element positioned between the pilot and the sleeve which is capable of contacting the first end of the tubular member. The apparatus further includes means for rotating one of the members and means for moving the members into engagement. As the members engage, the curling element contacts the first end of the tubular member and forms a curl thereon within the confines of the curling chamber.

Apparatus for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member

An apparatus and method are disclosed for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube. The apparatus includes a first punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube and having a configured tip with a plurality of elongated grooves formed therein. The first punch also contains a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The first punch and tube are mateable with a first die. The first die includes a base having a plurality of blades extending axially outward therefrom. Each blade is designed to engage with one of the grooves formed on the first punch and causes the tip of the tube to be crimped therebetween. After an end of the tube has been crimped, it is transformed into a plurality of pleats and configured into a semi-spherically shaped tip having a central aperture formed therethrough. This is accomplished using a second punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube. The second punch also has a semi-spherically shaped tip with a pin extending outward from the apex thereof and a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The second punch and tube are mateable with a second die. The second die includes a base having a semi-spherical cavity formed therein with a central passageway formed at the bottom of the cavity. The cavity is sized to receive both the second punch and the tube while the passageway is sized to receive only the pin. The method of engaging the punches and dies to crimp, pleat and form one end of the tube is also described.

Apparatus for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube

An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing the force required to expel a catamenial tampon from a tampon applicator. The tampon applicator is also disclosed. The tampon applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing an absorbent tampon. The first member has an inside diameter, first and second spaced apart ends, and an insertion tip formed adjacent to the first end. The insertion tip at least partially closes the first end of the first member and facilitates insertion of the tampon applicator into a woman's vagina. The insertion tip is opened, expanded and reclosed prior to positioning the tampon in the first member. This action allows the insertion tip to be reopened with a minimum amount of expulsion force. The apparatus includes a first punch having an outside diameter which is sized slightly less than the inside diameter of the first member. This enables the first punch to slide within the first member from the second end toward the first end. The first punch has a forward end which is capable of opening the insertion tip. The apparatus also includes a second punch having a forward end with an outside diameter which is sized larger than the inside diameter of the first member. The second punch is capable of entering the opened insertion tip and expanding at least a portion of the inside diameter thereof. The method discloses using the above mentioned apparatus as well as the step of reclosing the insertion tip such that a reduced force is required to reopen the insertion tip and expel the tampon.

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Oshkosh, WI, United States of America

Noel J Rasmussen