Method of forming primary package tube for tampons

Abstract

High-speed methods to close tubular plastic wrappers may include providing a packaging film on a mandrel in the form of a hollow tube, forming a folded surface by rotating the hollow tube and mandrel while counter-rotating a plate having a plurality of folding blades extending outwardly therefrom, to form a plurality of folds that define the folded surface, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, each folding blade engaging a portion of the protruding tube portion, applying heat and pressure to the folded surface to form a closed end, inserting the tampon into the tube, and closing the first end of the tube. The film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface, and the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end, distal the first end. The mandrel can rotate with respect to the revolving platform on which it is mounted.

1 .- 7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus for forming a tampon package tube comprising:
 a) a plurality of rotating mandrels, each mandrel having a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end distal the first end; and   b) a tube closing station comprising a plurality of folding blades sequentially arranged and configured in a fan pattern in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the revolving platform and a heater;   
       wherein each of the plurality of rotating mandrels can be indexed to the tube closing station and rotate in a direction opposite of the folding blades to form a series of folds in an end of a tube of packaging film formed about such rotating mandrel to thermally bond the series of folds on the second end of each mandrel. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the folding blades are separated with a curved leading edge and sequentially arranged and configured in a fan pattern. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the folding blades are formed in a wave-shaped plate. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus for forming a tampon package tube comprising:
 a) a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel having a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end distal the first end; and   b) a tube closing station comprising a plurality of individual curved folding blades arranged and configured about a central aperture, each curved folding blade arranged and configured to sequentially rotate across the central aperture in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the revolving platform and a heater;   
       wherein each of the plurality of mandrels can be indexed to the tube closing station and extend into the aperture whereby each of the plurality of individual curved folding blades rotates across the central aperture to form a series of folds in an end of a tube of packaging film formed about such mandrel and to expose the series of folds on the second end of each mandrel to the heater to form the closed tampon package tube.