Patent GB-741304-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for attaching loops to articles such as sanitary napkins
IPC: A61F13/15
Filed: 1952-12-19
Abstract: 741,304. Catamenial appliances. INTERNATIONAL CELLUCOTTON PRODUCTS CO. Dec. 19, 1952 [April 14, 1952], No. 32218/52. Class 81(2). In an apparatus for preparing and attaching end loops to sanitary napkins, the napkins are continuously advanced by a conveyer system and, at a part of their travel, their ends are extended while the loops, previously cut from a tube of fabric, are passed around the ends which are then gripped while part of each corresponding loop is thrust through the wrapper fabric. Previously prepared napkins, consisting of pads enclosed in gauze or similar wrappers, are stacked in magazines 118, Fig. 1, whence they are taken, singly, by rollers 122 and placed on a conveyer belt 134 and subsequently passed around a continuously driven drum 58, where the loops, previously formed on a mechanism 64, are attached. The napkins are then passed along a platform 452 by a conveyer chain 466 to a stacking bin 82, whence they are taken in piles of a dozen, by a further conveyer 92, to a packing machine. In the loop forming mechanism loops are formed by cutting lengths from a tube of stockinette material and rolling each length upon itself. This mechanism forms the subject-matter of Specification 741,350 and is fully described therein. Attachment mechanism. The main drum 58, Fig. 1, around which the napkins are carried has a number of sets of mechanisms, each set being disposed adjacent to one end of a napkin. One such mechanism is shown in Fig. 7, the napkin 52 being carried on the conveyer belt 135. The tab end 55 is extended by means of air jets, (not shown), and the prepared loop 68 is taken off a member 234, which receives it from the loop making mechanism, by means of fingers 336, 342, which are actuated by cam surfaces 304, 306, these surfaces being pivoted at 318 and moved by a lever 292 having a roller 298 running in a stationary cam groove 308. The fingers, carrying the loop, then advance towards the tab end 55 until the loop encircles it. The arm 354 is then advanced towards thetab 55 by a cam 432 and gripper jaws 364, 366 are opened, by engagement of roller 376 with a stationary cam surface, and subsequently closed on to the tab to hold it taut while the needle 62, actuated by cam disc 436, engages the upper part of the loop and carries it through the fabric where it is gripped between spring blades 370 while the needle is withdrawn. All the parts finally return to their starting positions and the napkin is passed on to the stacking bin 82, Fig. 1. Stacking mechanism. The napkins 52, Fig. 28, are passed along a stationary plate 452 to two coplanar plates 496 pivoted on horizontal rods 500. The plates are then drawn apart to allow it to fall on to a second gate assembly 522 pivoted on rods 526, which opens after three have been received, so that they then fall on to a plate 90. Below this plate there is a continuously moving conveyer system 538 which, at appropriate intervals, has vertically extending rods 556 so as to engage the pile of napkins and move them away to a packing station. The spacing of the rods 556 is such that the pile moves on when twelve have accumulated. In a modified arrangement the looped ends of each napkin are turned under against the body of the napkin, by jets of compressed air, in the course of their movement between the take-off drum 450 and the stacking bin 82.