PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING A TAMPON APPLICATOR FOR FEMININE HYGIENE

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing a tampon applicator for feminine hygiene which consists of an outer sleeve (32) and an inner sleeve (34) displaceable therein. Moldable material is injected from a runner (430; 431) into an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve mold cavity (307) thereby forming at least one predetermined breaking point (36) between outer sleeve (32) and inner sleeve (34) of a one-part applicator molding. Afterwards, the outer sleeve (32; 232) is demolded and subsequently its core (358) is coaxially withdrawn through the front opening of the latter. Finally the applicator molding (30; 230) is ejected by stripping off its inner sleeve (34) from its core (414) within the inner sleeve mold cavity of a clamping unit (302). The invention simplifies the production and assembling of the tampon applicator.

Description: Process and apparatus for producing a tampon applicator for feminine hygiene The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing a tampon applicator for feminine hygiene from moldable material, which applicator comprises an approximately cylindrical outer sleeve and an approximately cylindrical inner sleeve, the outside diameter of the inner sleeve being made smaller than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve, in which the inner sleeve can be arranged telescopically displaceably. The process concerns the injection of moldable material into a mold cavity with a core for the outer sleeve and into a mold cavity with a core for the inner sleeve of the tampon applicator. In the case of processes and apparatus of the abovementioned known generic type, it is known to produce the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve separately and, after their production, to assemble the tampon applicator in a further operation by inserting the inner sleeve into the outer sleeve. The invention is based on the object of significantly simplifying the process and the apparatus for producing a tampon applicator from moldable material and making them more cost-effective, as well as combining them if need be with an assembly of the tampon applicator. To achieve this object, the invention specifies a process which is characterized by the following steps: a) the moldable material is injected from at least one runner approximately simultaneously into the mold cavity of an injection unit for the outer sleeve and into the mold cavity of a clamping unit for the inner sleeve of a mold, forming at least one predetermined breaking point between the rear end of the outer sleeve and the front end of the inner sleeve of a one-part applicator molding; b) the one-part applicator molding is allowed to cure to a certain temperature in the mold cavity; c) the outer sleeve of the one-part applicator molding is demolded, the outer sleeve surrounding its core; d) the outer sleeve of the one-part applicator molding is freed from its core, in that the core of the outer sleeve is coaxially withdrawn through the front end of the latter; e) the one-part applicator molding is ejected from the inner-sleeve mold cavity of the movable, opened clamping unit by stripping off its inner sleeve from the core of the latter, which is arranged within the inner-sleeve mold cavity of the clamping unit. The process according to the invention offers special advantages for the production of a tampon applicator whose outer sleeve and inner sleeve are respectively provided with spherical-segmental lips on the front end. This is so since the process according to the invention allows these lips to be formed simultaneously onto the front ends of the outer sleeve and of the inner sleeve when the one-part applicator molding is being produced. Similarly, the process according to the invention permits a tampon catch to be provided on the inner side of the wall of the outer sleeve in the region of its rear end and also an axial guide slot to be provided in the wall of the inner sleeve of the one-part applicator molding during the production of the same. As a result, the inner sleeve is secured in the outer sleeve against loss and is displaceable only to a limited extent within the outer sleeve. In addition, with this known design there can be created a more compact form of the tampon applicator, in which the tampon is arranged within the inner sleeve, which is pushed into the outer sleeve. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the process for producing the tampon applicator for feminine hygiene, comprising an injection unit and a clamping unit, which in the closed state form a mold cavity with a core. According to the invention, an apparatus of this known type is characterized in that the mold cavity with a core for the outer sleeve is arranged in the injection unit and the mold cavity with a core for the inner sleeve is arranged in the clamping unit of a common mold and, in the closed state of the mold, are connected to form a single mold cavity for a one-part applicator molding, there being provided in the closed molding position of the mold, in the region of its parting plane, at least one runner between the inner- sleeve mold cavity and the outer-sleeve mold cavity for producing at least one predetermined breaking point between the rearward end of the outer sleeve and the front end of the inner sleeve of the one-part applicator molding. Further developments of the invention concern the axial mobility of the inner core for the outer sleeve within the injection unit, so that the core bearing the outer sleeve of the one-part applicator molding can be moved along synchronously with and bearing against the core for the inner sleeve in the clamping unit on a first opening stroke of the same. As a result, the outer sleeve molded in one part with the inner sleeve lies free in the interspace between injection unit and opened clamping unit of the mold. Subsequently, the core of the outer sleeve can be moved back into the injection unit. A stripping sleeve, movable axially back and forth in the clamping unit on the core of the inner sleeve, can subsequently be moved in the ejecting direction toward the rear end of the inner sleeve and the latter can be stripped off its core in the clamping unit, so that the one-part applicator molding can be ejected from the apparatus and can be passed on for f rther treatment . In addition, however, the invention offers the special advantage of a complete assembly of the tampon applicator after the production of the one-part applicator molding when the outer sleeve of the latter, as described, protrudes into the interspace between the injection unit and the clamping unit and is seated with its inner sleeve still on the inner core in the clamping unit. For the assembly of the tampon applicator there is arranged a handling device, which is movable parallel and perpendicular to the mold parting plane of the mold. By means of this handling device, the outer sleeve can be grasped around its circumference. Once this has taken place, the stripping sleeve in the clamping unit can strip off the inner sleeve and push it into the outer sleeve, held by the handling device, destroying the at least one predetermined breaking point between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve. This ends the assembly operation. The handling device can then move the completely assembled tampon applicator out of the mold and pass it on for further processing. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an apparatus for producing a one-part applicator molding and for assembling a tampon applicator produced from the molding. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a one-part applicator molding, produced completely from moldable material, in a central longitudinal section; Fig. 2 shows a cross section II-II according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section III-III according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows the first embodiment of the one-part applicator molding in Figs. 1 to 3 in a diagrammatic view; Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a one-part applicator molding in a diagrammatic view; Fig. 6 shows a closed mold of an injection-molding machine for the simultaneous production of both embodiments of the one-part applicator molding according to Figs. 1 to 5 in plan view; Fig. 7 shows a perpendicular central longitudinal section VII-VII of the closed mold in Fig. 6; Fig. 8 shows the closed mold for the first embodiment of the one-part applicator molding according to Figs. 1 to 4 in a central longitudinal section parallel to the plane of the drawing in Fig. 6, on an enlarged scale and in a broken-away representation; Fig. 9 shows a cross section IX-IX of the mold for the inner sleeve in Fig. 8, in a view turned through 90° about the principal axis of the mold; Fig. 10 shows the closed mold for the first embodiment of the one-part applicator molding according to Figs. 1 to 4 on an enlarged scale; Fig. 11 shows a view similar to Fig. 10, in which the clamping unit for the applicator molding in Figs. 1 to 4 assumes a first opening-stroke position; Fig. 12 shows a view similar to Fig. 11, with the clamping unit in a second opening- stroke position, the core of the outer sleeve having assumed its initial position again; Fig. 13 shows a third opening-stroke position of the clamping unit, in which the opened inner-sleeve mold with a stripping sleeve in its stripping- stroke end position and ejected applicator molding can be seen in a central longitudinal section in an enlarged, partially broken-away representation; Fig. 14 shows a view similar to Fig. 13, with opened inner-sleeve mold and the applicator molding and also a handling device for the assembly of the applicator in an injection-molding machine; Fig. 15 shows a view similar to Fig. 14, with the opened inner-sleeve mold and the applicator molding, the outer sleeve being seized by the handling device; and Fig. 16 shows a view similar to Fig. 15, which represents the assembly of the tampon applicator by means of the handling device. In Figs. 1 to 4 there is shown a one-part applicator molding 30 for a tampon applicator for feminine hygiene of moldable, preferably biodegradable material. If desired, the applicator molding 30 may be produced from a single moldable material or else from two moldable materials of different properties, which are, for example, particularly suitable or desired on the one hand for the outer sleeve and on the other hand for the inner sleeve of the tampon applicator. It goes without saying that, if need be, customary plastics also come into consideration for the injection molding of the applicator molding 30. The applicator molding 30 is composed of a substantially cylindrical outer sleeve 32 and a substantially cylindrical inner sleeve 34 with an outside diameter which is made smaller than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve 32. The outer sleeve 32 and the inner sleeve 34 are connected to each other by at least one predetermined breaking point 36, so that the outer sleeve 32 and the inner sleeve 34 can be produced as the one-part applicator molding 30 in only one mold of an injection-molding machine, as explained further below. The predetermined breaking point 36 is provided in a front cross sectional region of the inner sleeve 34, which is located in front of a front end 42 of a guide slot 44 closed at both ends and at a lip root 46 of flexible lips 48 of the inner sleeve 34 which are convex, taper toward the front end, are for example spherical-segmental and are resilient. The at least one predetermined breaking point 36 comprises a thin skin 38 (Fig. 3) , which may extend over 360° of the applicator circumference and connects a rear end face 40 of the outer sleeve 32, shown in Fig. 1, to the outer side of the front end of the cylindrical part of the inner sleeve 34. The predetermined breaking point 36 can preferably also be provided only on mutually separate circumferential sections of the applicator molding 30, in each case in the form of the thin, web-shaped or spot-shaped skin 38. According to Fig. 1, the outer sleeve 32 is also provided at the front end with six flexible, spherical- segmental, forward-tapered and respectively convex lips 60. The lips 60, 48 of the outer sleeve 32 and of the inner sleeve 34 are rounded off at their edges and free, front ends, their ends being bent concentrically toward the central longitudinal axis of the tampon applicator 30 and leaving free a relatively large, central opening 62 and 64, respectively, of the outer sleeve 32 and of the inner sleeve 34 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) . According to Figs. 1 and 3, there is a starting point 66 of a tampon catch 50 at a circumferential distance on both sides from three lips 48 of the inner sleeve 34. The tampon catch 50, designed in the manner of a spring clip, is arranged on the inner side of an approximately cylindrical wall 52 of the outer sleeve 32 at an axial distance in front of the rear end face 40 of the outer sleeve 32 and extends in a plane radial to the central longitudinal axis of the outer sleeve 32 and at an acute angle obliquely in the direction of the front end of the outer sleeve 32. The axial guide slot 44 of the inner sleeve 34 of the one-part applicator molding 30 is aligned by the predetermined breaking points 36 coaxially, at a distance, with respect to the tampon catch 50 of the outer sleeve 32 and is made wider than the tampon catch 50. Consequently, the predetermined breaking points 36 can be destroyed by exerting an axial pressure on the inner sleeve 34 and the inner sleeve 34 can be pushed into the outer sleeve 32 such that the tampon catch 50 is initially bent back flexibly by the lip roots 46 of the inner sleeve 34 against the inner side of the wall 52 of the outer sleeve 32 and thereby prestressed, before it automatically engages, owing to its flexural prestress, into the guide slot 44 radially with snap action and, in the relaxed state, again assumes its original position. This assembly step is generally also assisted by a certain, radial, flexible evasive movement of the front end 42 of the inner sleeve 34 toward the interior of the inner sleeve 54. The length of the tampon catch 50 is made such that a tampon 54 indicated in Fig. 1 in dash-dotted lines bears in an assembly position of the inner sleeve 34 within the outer sleeve 32, shown by dash-dotted lines, by its front, spherical cap-shaped end 55 against the inner side of the lips 48 of the inner sleeve 34 and by its rear end 56 against the free end of the tampon catch 50 and is fixed in its axial position. The inner sleeve 34 in Figs. 1 to 4 is provided at the rearward end with an annular catching groove 71 at an axial distance in front of an end gripping bead 68. The rear end face 40 of the outer sleeve 32 is formed by a gripping bead 70. The second embodiment of a one-part applicator molding 230 in Fig. 5 differs from the first embodiment merely in that an outer sleeve 232 has at its front end only four lips 260, which form a front opening 262 for ejecting a tampon. Furthermore, in front of a rear gripping bead 270 of the outer sleeve 232 there is provided a section of length having a roughened gripping surface 233 for better handling of the finished tampon applicator during insertion of a tampon. An inner sleeve 234 differs from the first embodiment essentially by a guide slot 244, which at mid-length is narrower than the tampon catch 50 is wide. Consequently, the inner sleeve 234 is spread and expanded in this region by the tampon catch 50, in order to achieve a reliable guidance of the inner sleeve 234 and an easy pushing out or transferring of the tampon 54 into the outer sleeve 232. The inner sleeve 234 is likewise provided at the rear end with a gripping bead 268, in front of which an annular catching bead 272 is arranged at an axial distance. Since, upon destruction of the predetermined breaking points 36, remains of the predetermined breaking points 36 remain on the inner side of the wall 52 of the outer sleeve 32 or 232 in the form of attachments (not shown) , these attachments may serve as catching hooks or catching ribs which, at the end of the pushing-in movement of the inner sleeve 34 into the outer sleeve 32, engage in the catching groove 71 with a detent action, or slide over the catching bead 272 in a detaining manner, in order as a result to secure the inner sleeve 34 or 234 releasably in its position pushed into the outer sleeve 32 or 232. In Figs. 6 and 7 there is represented an apparatus for the simultaneous production of the first embodiment of the one-part applicator molding 30 in Figs. 1 to 4 and of the second embodiment of the applicator molding 230 in Fig. 5 in the mold of an injection-molding machine having an injection unit 300 and a clamping unit 302, driven for example oil- hydraulically. According to Figs. 6 and 7, the injection unit 300 comprises, inter alia, a platen 305, to which a spacer plate 308, a receiving plate 318 and a support plate 320 for outer-sleeve mold inserts 324, 328 (shown in Fig. 7) with mold cavities 301, 303 for the outer sleeves 32; 232, are firmly braced by means of spacer anchoring screws 322. Fig. 7 shows, furthermore, cooling chambers 326, 330 for cooling fluid at the circumference of the mold inserts 324, 328. Furthermore, in Figs. 6, 7 and 8 there can be seen an inner-sleeve mold 304, comprising laterally movable inner- sleeve mold jaws 388, 390, with mold cavities 307, 309 for the inner sleeves 34 or 234 as a component part of the clamping unit 302. According to Fig. 7, the mold cavity 301 of the mold EP contains a core 358 for the outer sleeve 32 of the one-part applicator molding 30 in Fig. 4. Similarly, in the mold cavity 303 of the mold US there is provided a core 360 for the outer sleeve 232 of the one-part applicator molding 230 in Fig. 5. Furthermore, in Figs. 6 and 7, a centering device 310 is fastened by means of screws 312 on the rear side of the platen 305 of the injection unit 300. The centering device 310 is simultaneously the interface with respect to an injection screw (not shown) of the injection-molding machine. Connected to the centering device 310 is an injection tube 314, at the end of which an injection nozzle 316 is arranged . According to Fig. 6, angle pieces 332, 334 are fastened by screws 336, 338 on opposite narrow sides of the sprue-side receiving plate 318. These angle pieces 332, 334 in each case bear a piston-cylinder unit 340, 342, the piston rods 344, 346 of which are connected by screws 348, 349 to a supporting plate 350. The supporting plate 350 extends parallel to the platen 305 and is mounted displaceably back and forth by means of the piston-cylinder units 340, 342 with respect to the clamping unit 302 on guide rods 352 by means of guide bushes 354. According to Fig. 7, fastened on the movable supporting plate 350 are two profile cores 356; 362, which are mounted longitudinally displaceably in the receiving plate 318 for the support plate 320 and extend in each case through a rear longitudinal bore 325; 329 in the mold inserts 324; 328 into the latter. The transverse profile of these profile cores 356; 362 determines the size and contour of the front opening 62; 262 of the outer sleeves 32; 232 in Figs. 4 and 5. At the front end, the profile cores 356; 362 are provided with their diametrically enlarged cores 358; 360 for the outer sleeves 32; 232, which are arranged in the mold cavities 301 and 303, respectively, of the mold inserts 324; 328 for the outer sleeves 32; 232 of the applicator moldings 30; 230 according to Figs . 4 and 5. According to Fig. 8, the outer-sleeve core 358 is provided at its front extreme end, facing away from the clamping unit 302, with a convex end face 359, which is provided with tongue-shaped, spherical-segmental recesses (not shown) for forming the six lips 60 of the outer sleeve 32. It goes without saying that the outer-sleeve core 360 in Fig. 7 likewise has recesses (not shown) , corresponding to the four lips 260 of the outer sleeve 232, at its front, rounded-off extreme end, facing away from the clamping unit 302. According to Figs. 7, 8, 10 and 11, the profile cores 356, 362 in each case contain axial coolant channels 364, 366, which are led into the outer-sleeve cores 358, 360 and, according to Fig. 7, are connected by in each case a manifold block 368, 369 in the movable supporting plate 350 (Fig. 6) to pressurized coolant sources (not shown) . In Figs. 6, 7, 10 to 12, a cam plate 370, 372 is fastened by means of screws 376 in each case on the opposite longitudinal sides, parallel to the principle axes of the molds EP; US, of the sprue-side carrier plate 320 for the outer-sleeve mold inserts 324, 328 (Figs. 7, 10 and 11). The cam plates 370, 372 are in each case provided on their inner side with a cam 378, 380. As Figs. 6 and 7 show, the cams 378, 380 extend parallel to the direction of movement x of the clamping unit 302 and are cranked outward at their ends, facing away from the injection unit 300, with respect to the longitudinal center of the injection device over a section 382 (Fig. 6) , which however is in turn directed parallel to the direction of movement x of the clamping unit 302 and is open at the end. According to Fig. 7, the inner end of two control bolts 384, 386 is fastened on one of each of the two inner- sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 of the mold 304 represented in Fig. 6 or 8. The control bolts 384, 386 engage ovably by their outer ends in the cams 378, 380. If the control bolts 384, 386 are located in the cranked section 382 of the cams 378, 380, the normally closed inner-sleeve mold 304 is open (Figs. 11 and 12) . The clamping unit 302 has a platen 311 which, as Fig. 6 shows, is provided with bores 396, by means of which the clamping unit 302 can be connected by means of a mold clamping mechanism to a mold clamping drive, as known per se and therefore not represented. According to Fig. 7, the platen 311 and the fastening plate 412 have a central bore 402, through which a coupling rod 404 extends. The front end of the coupling rod 404 is firmly connected by means of a coupling screw 406 to the platen 407 and to the stripper plate 408, which is consequently movable back and forth in the direction of the machine by means of the coupling rod 404 connected to a preferably oil-hydraulic drive. According to Figs . 6 and 7 , there extends between the platen 311 of the clamping unit 302 and a guide plate 375 a spacer frame 398, which keeps a space 399 free, in which the guide plate 375 is arranged movably back and forth parallel to itself. According to Figs. 6, 7 and 10, the guide plate 375 bears on its side facing the injection unit 300 the mold 304 for the inner sleeves 34, 234, which is fastened by means of a fastening plate 374 on the guide plate 375 by means of screws 377. According to Figs. 6 and 8, the two inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 of the mold 304 are guided on oblique guide bolts 392, 393, which are fastened in the sprue-side support plate 320 and form with the central longitudinal axis of the injection device an acute angle which opens in the direction of the clamping unit 302. Consequently, the inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 can be displaced laterally out of the closed position, shown in Figs. 6 and 7, into an open position when the control bolts 384, 386 enter into the outwardly cranked section 382 of the cams 378, 380 during the opening stroke of the clamping unit 302, and vice versa. The inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 are equipped with bores 394 for coolant fluid. According to Figs. 6 and 7, the platen 311 of the clamping unit 302 is firmly connected on its side facing the injection unit 300 by anchoring screws 400 to a fastening plate 412, in which cores 414 and 418 for the inner sleeves 34 and 234, respectively, are fastened. The substantially cylindrical inner-sleeve cores 414, 418 extend forward into a spherical-segmental part, in which there are axially forward and radially convex mold cavities 458 (Fig. 8) for forming the lips 48 of the inner sleeve 34. From the spherical-segmental part, the inner sleeves 34 or 234 extend with front, conically tapering centering tips 446 and 447 into approximately correspondingly shaped, conical openings of the outer-sleeve cores 358 and 360, respectively, when the mold is closed, as Fig. 7 shows. In Fig. 8, only one of these openings is denoted by 442. The inner-sleeve cores 414, 418 are provided with coolant channels 422, 424, which are connected to the coolant source (not shown) . Furthermore, guide rods, of which only one is denoted by 410, are fastened in the fastening plate 412 axially parallel to the principle axis of the mold. According to Figs. 6 and 7, arranged in front of the fastening plate 412 is a platen 407, on which a stripper plate 408 is fastened by means of countersunk screws 409. In the stripper plate 408 there are fastened two stripping sleeves 426; 428, which are in each case displaceably mounted coaxially on one of the two inner-sleeve cores 414, 418 and extend through the guide plate 375 into the inner-sleeve mold 304. In Fig. 7 it can also be seen that both the platen 407 and the stripper plate 408 are guided movably by means of guide sleeves 415 on the guide rods 410. It can be seen from Figs. 8 and 9 that the inner- sleeve mold jaw 388 is provided with a mold strip 389 for the guide slot 44 of the inner sleeve 34. In the closed position of the mold 304 shown in Figs. 8 and 9, the mold strip 389 rests right on the inner-sleeve core 414, so that the guide slot 44 is left during the injection molding of the inner sleeve 34. The mold jaw 388 is also provided with a further mold strip, not shown however, for producing the longitudinal slot 244 in the inner sleeve 234 of the applicator molding 230 in Fig. 5. According to Fig. 8, above and below the mold cavities 301, 307 formed by the inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 of the mold 304 there are provided in the region of a mold parting plane 306 between the injection unit 300 and the clamping unit 302 runners 430, 431 and injection channels 456 as well as a bead cavity 452 for the outer sleeve 32 and a bead cavity 453 for the gripping bead 68 of the inner sleeve 34. The runners 430, 431 are separated by a separating wall 433. Consequently, moldable materials of different consistencies and/or colors can be injected through these two runners 430, 431 into the mold cavities 301, 303, 307, 309, in order to produce both the outer sleeves 32, 232 and, in connection with the latter, the inner sleeves 34, 234 of the one-part applicator moldings 30, 230 simultaneously, as is evident from the closed injection position of the molds EP and US in Fig. 7. If need be, the separating wall 433 may also be omitted, if only one moldable material is to be injected into the mold cavities through the runners 430, 431. Under certain circumstances, however, it is also conceivable, in spite of the omission of the separating wall 433, to inject one moldable material of a quite particular nature, for example consistency and/or color, through the runners 430 and at the same time a moldable material of a different nature, for example consistency and/or color, than the first-mentioned, moldable material through the other runners 431 into the mold cavity 301, 307 and 303, 309. Fig. 8 shows the mold 304 for the first embodiment of the applicator molding 30 according to Fig. 4 on an enlarged scale. It is clearly evident that the conical opening 442 in the front end of the outer-sleeve core 358 in the mold insert 324 is connected to the coolant channel 364 in the outer-sleeve core 358 by a coaxial connection channel 444. In the injection position of the inner-sleeve mold 304 according to Fig. 8, this connection channel 444 is closed by the conical centering tip 446 of the inner-sleeve core 414. In Fig. 8 there can be seen a lateral cavity 448 for forming the tampon catch 50 in the wall of the conical opening 442 of the outer-sleeve core 358. The cavity 448 is in connection with the mold cavities 301 and 307 for the outer sleeve 32 and the inner sleeve 34, so that the unified production of the tampon catch 50 on the inner side of the wall 52 of the outer sleeve 32 together with the inner sleeve 34 is possible (Figs. 1 to 3). For this purpose, there open into the mold cavity 301 of the mold insert 324 the conically tapering injection channels 450 contained therein, which are connected to the runners 431 in the inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 when the mold is closed. The runners 430 open into the radial injection channels 456, which are in connection with the mold cavity 307 for the inner sleeve 34 behind a bead cavity 452 for the gripping bead 70. The amount of a single type of molding material, such as for example polyethylene or polypropylene, necessary for molding the one-part applicator molding 30 can be injected through the runners 430, 431. As mentioned the runners 430, 431 may, however, also be optionally connected to mutually separate molding material sources. In the latter case, if need be the molding materials used may be composed differently in terms of color and consistency, if it is desired to give priority to the special function of the outer sleeve 32 with the tampon catch 50 or of the inner sleeve 34 of a tampon applicator. In this case, the molding materials of different compositions and/or colors may be injected simultaneously or just with a slight time difference into the molds 304 and into the mold inserts 324 or 328. It has been shown that in this case the mixing of the two molding materials occurring in the injection region is slight and therefore can be disregarded. Fig. 10 shows on an enlarged scale the molding position of the mold EP, so that the mold cavities 307, 309 of the mold 304 for the inner sleeves 34, 234 and the mold cavities 301, 303 for the outer sleeves 32, 232 in the mold inserts 324, 328 of the support plate 320 form a common mold cavity for the one-part applicator molding 30; 230. In Figs. 11, 12 and 13, three successive opening stroke positions of the clamping unit 302 are represented, for the sake of clearer representation on an enlarged scale, only by the most important component parts of the mold EP for the one-part applicator molding 30 in Fig. 4, because the mold US functions correspondingly. In Fig. 11, the clamping unit 302 has been moved on a first opening stroke into a first opening position after the molding of a one-part applicator molding and its brief curing with the inner-sleeve mold 304. The two control bolts 384, 386 for the mold jaws 388, 390 of the inner-sleeve mold 304 are in this case located in a position which lies approximately midway along the cams 378, 380. With the opening movement of the clamping unit 302, the piston-cylinder units 340, 342 are actuated in such a way that, according to Fig. 11, the profile core 356 fastened on the supporting plate 350, with its outer- sleeve core 358 bearing right against the conical centering tip 446 of the inner-sleeve core 414, is moved out from the corresponding mold insert 324 at synchronous speed in the opening direction of the clamping unit 302. The inner-sleeve core 414 consequently continues to engage in a sealing manner by its conical centering tip 446 in the conical centering opening 442 of the inner core 358 for the outer sleeve 32. As a variant, shown in Fig. 11 are merely the runners 431, through which the moldable material is injected into the mold cavities 301, 307; 303; 309. In Fig. 12, the apparatus is represented in a second open-stroke position. This position is characterized by two preceding movement operations : by the movement of the supporting plate 350 by means of the piston-cylinder units 340, 342 in the direction of the injection unit 300, the core 358 has been completely moved back out of the outer sleeve 32, surrounding it, of the one-part applicator molding into the mold insert 324. During this return travel of the outer-sleeve inner core 358, the lips 60 at the front end of the outer sleeve 32, now projecting freely into an interspace 436 between the injection unit 300 and the clamping unit 302, have been spread; however, on account of the resilience typical for molding material, such as plastic, or the so-called memory effect, the lips 60 resume their round dome-like shape once the core 358 has been completely moved out from the outer sleeve 32. The control bolts 384, 386 have now assumed a first end position, lying in opening direction x, of their rectilinear movement in the cams 378, 380 of the cam plates 370, 372, with the result that the inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 are still closed. With reference to Figs. 6, 10 and 13, the operation of the mold for the production of the one-part applicator molding can now be ended by the clamping unit 302 in Figs. 6 and 7 being moved further in the direction of the arrow x into a third opening position by actuation of the hydraulic cylinder-piston units 340, 342. The control bolts 384, 386 of the inner-sleeve mold 304 thereby slide into a second, final end position in the outwardly cranked section 382 of the cam plates 370, 372 and thereby move the inner-sleeve mold jaws 388, 390 into an open position, which is shown in Fig. 14. Thereafter, as Fig. 14 shows, the movable stripper plate 408 with the stripping sleeve 426 has been moved in the direction of the injection unit 300 and the one-part applicator molding 30 has been ejected from the inner-sleeve mold 304. At the same time, the front end face of the stripping sleeve 426, moved in the direction of the injection unit 300, has acted on the rear end face of the gripping bead 68 of the inner sleeve 34 seated on its inner core 414, which inner sleeve, as described, is connected by the molded-on predetermined breaking points 36 to the outer sleeve 32 of the one-piece applicator molding 30. Subsequently, the one-part applicator molding 30 can be fed to further work stations (not shown) and a new molding cycle can be initiated. The invention permits, however, not only the one- part production of the applicator molding 30 or 230, but in addition also a finished assembly of the tampon applicator within the injection-molding machine. These further process steps are explained below with reference to Figs. 14 to 16. Fig. 14 corresponds to the end position, shown in Fig. 12, of the opening stroke of the clamping unit 302, in which there is the interspace 436 between the injection unit 300 and the clamping unit 302. As a result, according to Fig. 12, this interspace 436 between the injection unit 300 and the clamping unit 302 is large enough that a handling device 460, shown in Fig. 14, can be actuated, which device is movable both perpendicular and parallel to the principle axis of the mold. Consequently, the handling device 460 according to Fig. 14 can be moved into the interspace 436 between the injection unit 300 and the opened clamping unit 302 and, according to Fig. 15, by a subsequent movement coaxial to the inner-sleeve mold 304, can receive the outer sleeve 32 of the one-part applicator molding 30 in a receiving bore 440, the diameter of which is adapted to the outside diameter of the outer sleeve 32. Thereafter, according to Fig. 16, the movable stripper plate 408, shown in Fig. 7, of the clamping unit 302 is advanced in the direction of the injection unit 300, with the result that the front end of the stripping sleeve 426 takes up the rearward end of the inner sleeve 34 and, destroying the predetermined breaking points 36 between inner sleeve 34 and outer sleeve 32 of the applicator molding 30, pushes the inner sleeve 34 into the outer sleeve 32, which at the same time is introduced completely into the receiving bore 440 of the handling device 460. When the predetermined breaking points 36 (Fig. 3) are destroyed, the said hook- shaped attachments are produced on the inner side of the outer sleeve 32 or 232 and also on the outer side of the inner sleeve 34 or 234. When the inner sleeve 34 is pushed into the outer sleeve 32, the attachments on the inner side of the bead 70 of the outer sleeve 32 engage in a detaining manner as catching hooks in the annular catching groove 71 at the rear end of the inner sleeve 34 (Fig. 4) . When the inner sleeve 234 is pushed into the outer sleeve 232 in Fig. 5, the catching hooks caused by the destruction of the predetermined breaking points 36 are moved over the annular catching bead 72 and come to bear in a detaining manner against the circumferential surface of the inner sleeve 234, which extends between the catching bead 72 and the gripping bead 268. It goes without saying that the inner sleeve 34 in Fig. 4 could also be provided with a catching bead and the inner sleeve 234 in Fig. 5 could also be provided with a catching groove. In addition, correspondingly acting catching means could also be provided only on parts of the circumference which lie in the direction of alignment of the catching hooks originating from the destroyed predetermined breaking points. The detention described above of the inner sleeve 34 or 234 pushed into the outer sleeve 32 or 232 ensures that this pushed-in position of the inner sleeve in the outer sleeve is retained during the further handling of the tampon applicator, for example during insertion of the tampon into the inner sleeve and the packing of the tampon applicator. At the same time, however, it is ensured that putting the tampon applicator to use, initially by withdrawing the inner sleeve 34 or 234 from the corresponding outer sleeve 32 or 232, is not hindered, because the detaining connection can be easily overcome by virtue of the flexibility of the sleeves. When the inner sleeve 34 is pushed into the outer sleeve 32, the spring leaf-like tampon catch 50 is initially bent by the front end of the inner sleeve 34 against the flexibly compliant wall 52 of the outer sleeve 32, before it subsequently springs back into the guide slot 44 of the inner sleeve 34 and locks the latter axially movably with the outer sleeve 32. This concludes the production and assembly of the tampon applicators. To sum up, therefore, the process according to the invention for producing a tampon applicator from plastic for feminine hygiene can be broadly described by the following process steps : In the closed state of the apparatus, moldable material is first of all injected from at least one runner 430; 431 approximately simultaneously into the mold cavities 301, 303 of the injection unit 300 for the outer sleeves 32; 232 and into the mold cavities 307, 309 of the clamping unit 302 for the inner sleeves 34; 234 of the molds EP; US, forming at least one predetermined breaking point 36 between the rear end of the outer sleeves 32; 232 and the front end of the inner sleeves 34; 234. Thereafter, the one- part applicator molding 30; 230 is allowed to cure to a certain temperature in the mold cavities 307; 309 for the inner sleeve 34; 234. The outer sleeves 32; 232 of the one- part applicator molding 30; 230 are then demolded, the outer sleeves 32; 232 surrounding their core 358, 360. The outer sleeves 32; 232 of the one-part applicator moldings or blanks 30; 230 are subsequently freed from their cores 358; 360, in that the cores 358; 360 of the outer sleeves 32; 232 are withdrawn through their front openings 62 or 262. The one-part applicator moldings 30; 230 are then ejected from the inner- sleeve mold cavities 307; 309 of the clamping unit 302 by stripping off their inner sleeves 34; 234 from the inner- sleeve cores 358; 360, which are arranged within the inner- sleeve mold cavities 307; 309 of the clamping unit 302. During the injection operation, spherical-segmental lips 60; 260 are respectively formed on at the front end of the outer sleeves 32; 232 and of the inner sleeves 34; 234. When the cores 358; 360 are withdrawn from the outer sleeves 32; 232 of the all-in-one applicator moldings 30; 230, the spherical-segmental lips 60; 260 of the outer sleeves 32; 232 are temporarily spread by the outer-sleeve cores 358; 360 and subsequently again form a convex front end of the outer sleeves 32; 232. Furthermore, during the injection operation, a flexible, tongue-shaped tampon catch 50 is formed on the inner side of the wall 52 of the outer sleeves 32; 232 and at the same time there is formed in the wall of the inner sleeves 34; 234 an in each case different guide slot 44; 244, which is arranged coaxially with respect to the tampon catch 50. In addition, after the withdrawal of the outer-sleeve cores 358; 360, the outer sleeves 32; 232, protruding freely into the interspace 436 of the opened mold EP; US, of the one-part applicator moldings 30; 230 are seized around their circumference, and the inner sleeves 34; 234 are pushed by their cores 414; 418 in the injection unit 300 into the outer sleeves 32; 232, which are held substantially undisplaceably in the axial direction. At the same time, the at least one predetermined breaking point 36 between the outer sleeves 32; 232 and the inner sleeves 34; 234 of the applicator moldings 30; 230 is thereby destroyed. When the inner sleeves 34; 234 are pushed into the outer sleeves 32; 232, initially the leaf spring-like tampon catches 50 are bent by the flexible lip roots 46 of the inner sleeves 34; 234 against the inner side of the wall 52 of the outer sleeves 32; 232. Subsequently, the tampon catches 50 engage in the associated guide slots 44; 244, which in the wall of the inner sleeves 34; 234 are aligned coaxially with respect to their corresponding tampon catch 50 and are closed at both ends. A major advantage of the apparatus described above is that the inner sleeves 34, 234 are located in the inner- sleeve mold 304 of the clamping unit 302. This arrangement makes it possible to provide the outer surface of the inner sleeves 34, 234 with inscriptions, for example with an instruction for use for the handling of the tampon applicator. Such an instruction for use could be, for example, a directional arrow and the inscription "ZIEHEN" and/or "PULL". Once the inner sleeves 34, 234 have been pulled out from their outer sleeves 32, 232, there can be provided, for example, on the surface then exposed of the inner sleeves 34; 234 an arrow which points in the opposite direction and is provided with the inscription "SCHIEBEN" and/or "PUSH". The invention thus makes it possible to mold through the injection channels both the outer sleeves and the inner sleeves of the tampon applicators axially congruent in one and the same mold in a single molding operation and, by particular mold-opening strokes and ejecting strokes, to assemble the one-part tampon applicators in the injection-molding machine, ie. to push the inner sleeves into the outer sleeves of the applicator moldings, destroying the predetermined breaking points, in exact, coaxial alignment with respect to one another, in such a way that the tampon catch 50 on the inner side of the outer sleeves 32; 232 engages in the associated longitudinal slot 44; 244 of the inner sleeves 34; 234 and the outer sleeves are interlocked to a certain extent with the associated inner sleeve. The handling device 460 may comprise a spreading rest or perforated plate 462, which enters the device, encloses the gripping beads 70; 270 of the outer sleeves 32; 232 and moves the tampon applicators out of the mold cavities and feeds them to a further processing station, while the mold can begin a new production cycle. List of reference numerals 30 one-part applicator molding 32 outer sleeve 34 inner sleeve 36 predetermined breaking point 38 skin 40 rear end face of the outer sleeve 42 front end (guide slot) 44 guide slot of the inner sleeve 46 lip root 48 lips (inner sleeve) 50 tampon catch 52 wall of the outer sleeve 54 tampon 55 front end (tampon) 56 rear tampon end 60 lips (outer sleeve) 62, 64 front opening of outer sleeve and inner sleeve, respectively 66 starting point 68 gripping bead (inner sleeve) 70 gripping bead (outer sleeve) 71 catching groove 230 one-part applicator molding 232 outer sleeve 233 gripping surface 234 inner sleeve 244 guide slot (inner sleeve) 260 lips (outer sleeve) 262 front opening (outer sleeve) 268 gripping bead (inner sleeve) 270 gripping bead (outer sleeve) 272 catching bead 300 injection unit 301 mold cavity (outer sleeve EP) 302 clamping unit 303 mold cavity (outer sleeve US) 304 inner-sleeve mold 305 platen 306 mold parting plane 307 mold cavity (inner sleeve EP) 308 spacer plate 309 mold cavity (inner sleeve US) 310 centering device 311 platen 312 screws 314 injection tube 316 injection nozzle 318 receiving plate 320 fixed support plate 322 spacer anchoring screws 324 mold insert (outer sleeve EP) 325 longitudinal bore 326 cooling chambers 328 mold insert (outer sleeve US) 329 longitudinal bore 330 cooling chambers 332, 334 angle pieces 336, 338 screws 340, 342 piston-cylinder unit 344, 346 piston rods 348, 349 screws 350 supporting plate 352 guide rods 354 guide bushes 356 profile core 358 outer-sleeve core 359 convex end face 360 outer-sleeve core 361 spherical-segmental recess 362 profile core 364, 366 coolant channels 368, 369 manifold block 370, 372 cam plate 374 fastening plate 375 guide plate 376 screws 377 screws 378, 380 cam 382 cranked section 384, 386 control bolts 388, 390 inner-sleeve mold jaws 389 guide-slot mold strip 392 guide bolt 393 guide bolt 394 coolant bores (inner-sleeve mold jaws) 396 fastening bores 398 spacer frame 399 free space 400 anchoring screws 402 central bore 404 coupling rod 406 coupling screw 407 platen 408 stripper plate 409 countersunk screws 410 guide rods 412 fastening plate 414 inner-sleeve core and centering bolt 415 guide sleeves 418 inner-sleeve core and centering bolt 422, 424 cooling channels 426, 428 stripping sleeves 430, 431 runners 433 separating wall 436 interspace 440 receiving bore 442 conical opening (inner core) 443 axial depression 444 coaxial connection channel 446 conical centering tip (inner-sleeve core centering bolt) 447 conical centering tip 448 cavity 450 conical injection channel 452 bead cavity 453 bead cavity 456 radial injection channel 458 concave mold cavities 460 handling device 462 perforated plate

Claims: Patent claims 1. Process for producing a tampon applicator for feminine hygiene from moldable material, which applicator comprises an approximately cylindrical outer sleeve (32; 232) and an approximately cylindrical inner sleeve (34; 234), the outside diameter of which is made smaller than the inside diameter of the outer sleeve and which can be arranged telescopically displaceably in the outer sleeve, the process comprising the injection of moldable material into a mold cavity with an inner core for the outer sleeve and into a mold cavity with an inner core for the inner sleeve of the tampon applicator, involving the following process steps: a) the moldable material is injected from at least one runner (430; 431) approximately simultaneously into the mold cavity (301; 303) for the outer sleeve (32; 232) in an injection unit (300) and into the mold cavity (307; 309) for the inner sleeve (34; 234) of a clamping unit (302) of a mold (EP; US) , forming at least one predetermined breaking point (36) between the rear end of the outer sleeve (32; 232) and the front end of the inner sleeve (34; 234) of a one-part applicator molding (30; 230) ; b) the one-part applicator molding (30; 230) is allowed to cure to a certain temperature in the mold cavities (301, 307; 303, 309) ; c) the outer sleeve (32; 232) of the one-part applicator molding (30; 230) is demolded, the outer sleeve (32; 232) surrounding its core (360) ; d) the outer sleeve (32; 232) of the one-part applicator molding (30; 230) is freed from its core (358; 360), in that the core (358; 360) of the outer sleeve (32; 232) is coaxially withdrawn through the front opening (62; 262) of the latter; e) the one-part applicator molding (30; 230) is ejected from the inner-sleeve mold cavity of the movable, opened clamping unit (302) by stripping off its inner sleeve (34; 234) from the core (358; 360) of the latter, which is arranged within the inner-sleeve mold cavity of the clamping unit (302) . 2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in process step a) , spherical-segmental lips (60; 260) are respectively formed on at the front end of the outer sleeve (32; 232) and of the inner sleeve (34; 234), the spherical- segmental lips (60; 260) of the outer sleeve (32; 232) being temporarily spread by the core (358; 360) of the latter when the said core (358; 360) of the outer sleeve (32; 232) is withdrawn according to process step d) , and subsequently they again form a convex front end of the outer sleeve (32; 232) . 3. The process as claimed in claim 1 or 2 , wherein, in process step a) , a flexible, tongue-shaped tampon catch (50) is formed on the inner side of the wall (52) of the outer sleeve (32; 232) and at the same time there is formed in the wall of the inner sleeve (34; 234) a guide slot (44; 244), which is arranged coaxially with respect to the tampon catch (50) . 4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after process step d) , the following process step is carried out : the outer sleeve (32; 232), protruding freely into an interspace (436) between the injection unit (300) and the clamping unit (302), of the one-part applicator molding (30; 230) is seized around its circumference, and the inner sleeve (34; 234) is pushed by its core (414; 418) in the injection unit (300) into the outer sleeve (32; 232) , which is held substantially undisplaceably in the axial direction, at the same time the at least one predetermined breaking point (36) between the outer sleeve (32; 232) and the inner sleeve (34; 234) of the applicator molding (30; 230) being destroyed. 5. The process as claimed in claims 1 to 4 , wherein, when the inner sleeve (34; 234) is pushed into the outer sleeve (32; 232) , initially the leaf spring-like tampon catch (50) is bent by the flexible front end (46) of the inner sleeve (34; 234) against the inner side of the wall (52) of the outer sleeve (32; 232), which catch subsequently engages movably in a guide slot (44; 244), which in the wall of the inner sleeve (34; 234) is aligned coaxially with respect to the tampon catch (50) and is closed at both ends. 6. An apparatus for carrying out the process for producing the tampon applicator for feminine hygiene from moldable material as claimed in one of claims 1 to 5, the apparatus comprising an injection unit and a clamping unit, which in the closed state form a mold cavity with inner core, wherein the mold cavity (301; 303) with the core (358; 360) for the outer sleeve (32; 232) is arranged in the injection unit (300) and the mold cavity (307; 309) with the core (414; 418) for the inner sleeve (34; 234) is arranged in the clamping unit (302) of the apparatus and, in the closed state of the mold (300; 302) , form a single mold cavity (301, 307; 303, 309) for a one-part applicator molding (30; 230), there being provided in the closed molding position of the mold (300; 302) , in the region of its parting plane (306) , at least one runner (430; 431) between the mold cavities (301, 307; 303; 309) for producing at least one predetermined breaking point (36) between the rearward end of the outer sleeve (32; 232) and the front end of the inner sleeve (34; 234) of the one-part applicator molding (30; 230) . 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the mold cavity (301; 303) for the outer sleeve (32; 232) is formed by a mold insert (324; 328) and is open on its side facing the clamping unit (302) . 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the end, facing away from the clamping unit (302) , of the mold insert (324; 328) for the outer sleeve (32; 232) is provided with a longitudinal bore (325; 329), in which a longitudinally extending profile core (356; 362) is mounted axially movably, the end of which facing the clamping unit (302) forms the core (358; 360) of the outer sleeve (34; 234). 9. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 8 , wherein the end of the profile core (356; 362) facing away from the clamping unit (302) is fastened on a supporting plate (350) , which is mounted movably back and forth in the injection unit (300) parallel to the latter and to the clamping unit (302) by means of a drive mechanism. 10. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the drive mechanism comprises piston-cylinder units (340, 342), which are fastened on a fixed receiving plate (318) and the pistons (344, 346) of which are firmly connected to the supporting plate (350) . 11. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the core (358; 360) for the outer sleeve (32; 232) has at its end facing away from the clamping unit (302) a convex end face (359) and spherical-segmental recesses for the molding of the lips (60; 260) at the front end of the outer sleeve (32; 232) . 12. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 11, wherein an axial, conical opening (442) with an axial depression (443) in the wall of the conical opening (442) for molding the tampon catch (50) is provided in the front extreme end of the outer-sleeve core (358; 360). 13. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 6 to 12, wherein the mold cavity (307; 309) for the inner sleeve (34; 234) is formed by a mold (304) which is arranged on the side of the clamping unit (302) opposite the injection unit (300) and the mold jaws (388, 390) of which are movable in dependence on the stroke movement of the clamping unit (302) on guide bolts (392, 393) in a plane perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clamping unit (302) radially and synchronously with respect to the core of the inner- sleeve mold cavity (307; 309) . 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein control bolts (384, 386) are fastened on the mold jaws (388, 390) of the inner-sleeve mold (304) , and wherein cam plates (370, 372) are firmly connected to the injection unit (300) , in the cams (378, 380) of which plates the control bolts (384, 386) engage in such a way that the inner-sleeve mold jaws (388, 390) can be opened and closed. 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the mold jaw (388) of the inner-sleeve mold (304) is provided with a guide-slot mold strip (389) , which in the closed state of the inner-sleeve mold (304) bears against the inner core (414; 418) in the inner-sleeve mold cavity (307; 309) for forming the guide slot (44; 244) in the inner sleeve (34; 234). 16. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 or 15, wherein the inner-sleeve mold jaws (388, 390) are provided with bead cavities (452, 453) for the molding of gripping beads (70; 270) at the rear end of the outer sleeve (32; 232) and of the inner sleeve (34; 234) . 17. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the inner-sleeve mold jaws (388, 390) are provided on a section of length adjacent to a bead cavity (452) for the gripping bead (70; 270) with recesses distributed in a speckled manner for molding a roughened gripping surface (233) on the outer side of the outer sleeve (232) . 18. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the inner-sleeve mold jaws (388, 390) are provided on their end face facing the injection unit (300) with runners (430, 431) , which extend around the opening, facing the injection unit (300), of the inner-sleeve mold jaws (388, 390) and, in the closed molding position of the mold (300, 302), are in connection with the mold cavity (301, 307; 303, 309) and bead cavities (452; 453) provided therein for the one-part applicator molding (30, 230), via conically tapering injection channels (450, 456) in the inner-sleeve mold jaws (388, 390) and in the end face of the mold insert (324; 328) facing the clamping unit (302) . 19. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 to 18, wherein the inner-sleeve core (414; 418) is rigidly fastened by its rear end on a fastening plate (412) of the clamping unit (302) and extends through a stripping sleeve (426; 428) and is also designed at the front end as a conical centering tip (446; 447) for the coaxial centering of the inner-sleeve core (414; 418) in the outer-sleeve core (358; 360). 20. The apparatus as claimed in claims 13 and 19, wherein the conical centering tip (446; 447) has a shape which corresponds to the conical opening (442) in the outer-sleeve core (324) with the exception of the longitudinally extending cavity (443) for the tampon catch (50) and, in the molding position, engages snugly in the conical opening (442) . 21. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 to 20, wherein a stripping sleeve (426; 428) is fastened by its rear end in a movable stripper plate (408) of the clamping unit (302) , which plate is connected to a drive, and is mounted longitudinally displaceably on the inner- sleeve core (414; 418) and also within a guide plate (375) fixed in the clamping unit (302), in such a way that the inner sleeve (34; 234) can be stripped off from the inner-sleeve core (414; 418) in the inner-sleeve mold cavity (307; 309). 22. The apparatus as claimed in one of claims 14 to 21, wherein a handling device (460) is provided for securing the outer sleeve (32; 232) of the one-part applicator molding (30; 230), the inner sleeve (34; 234) of which is held in the inner-sleeve mold (304) in such a way that, when the inner sleeve (34; 234) is stripped off from the inner-sleeve core (414; 418), destroying at least one predetermined breaking point (36) between inner sleeve (34; 234) and outer sleeve (32; 232), the inner sleeve (34; 234) can be pushed into the outer sleeve (32; 232) held by the handling device (460), and can be locked in the position for use by at least one catching hook, formed by the destruction of the predetermined breaking point (36), with respect to a catching element (71; 72) of the inner sleeve (32; 232) . 23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein the handling device (460) comprises a perforated plate (462) , which is provided with receiving through-bores (440) for at least one outer sleeve (32; 232) . 24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the perforated plate (462) with its receiving bores (440) can be moved into a receiving position for at least one outer sleeve (32; 232) within the interspace (436) between the injection unit (300) and the clamping unit (302) , in which the receiving bores (440) of the perforated plate (426) lie coaxially opposite the outer sleeve (32; 232) of the one-part applicator molding (30; 230), which is arranged with its associated inner sleeve (34; 234) on the inner-sleeve core (414; 418) within the inner-sleeve mold (304) , and wherein subsequently the perforated plate (462) can be moved in the direction of the clamping unit (302) coaxially with respect to the outer sleeve (32; 232) into a position in which the outer sleeve (32; 232) engages in a receiving bore (440) . 25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 24, wherein each cylindrical receiving bore (440) in the perforated plate (462) has a diameter which corresponds approximately to the outside diameter of the outer sleeve (32; 232) in such a way that the rim of the receiving bore (440) forms a stop for the gripping bead (70; 270) of the outer sleeve (32; 232) when the inner sleeve (34; 234) is pushed in, and a reliable assembly of the tampon applicator is ensured.

Inventors: SCHOELLING HANS-WERNER, SCHOETTLI THEODOR, SCHOELLING, HANS-WERNER, SCHOETTLI, THEODOR
Applicants: JOHNSON & JOHNSON GMBH, SCHOELLING HANS WERNER, SCHOETTLI THEODOR, SCHOELLING, HANS-WERNER, SCHOETTLI, THEODOR
Application year: 1997
Main classification: B29C69
IPC codes: A61F13, B29C45, B29C69