Process of making a wrapped tampon

Abstract

This invention relates to a process for making a wrapped tampon. A continuously moving wrapper material is provided with a longitudinal axis, width and a tear member. The wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position. The wrapper material provided also has a pair of opposing longitudinal edges that are folded and sealed together to form a longitudinal seal. The wrapper material is cut to form a pair of opposing transverse edges. The transverse edges are to form a transverse seal having a width defined by a first end and a second end. A tampon is provided and is inserted into the wrapper material through the unsealed opposing transverse edges that are subsequently sealed. At the end of the process, when the wrapper is sealed the tear member extends into the transverse seal adjacent to the first end.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A process for making a wrapped tampon comprising the steps of: 
 providing a continuously moving wrapper material having a longitudinal axis, a pair of opposing longitudinal edges and a width;    attaching a tear member to said wrapper material parallel to said longitudinal axis;    positioning said wrapper material in a pre-determined rotational position;    folding said wrapper material along said longitudinal axis to overlap said pair of opposing longitudinal edges;    sealing said pair of opposing longitudinal edges together to form a longitudinal seal;    cutting said wrappper material to form a length and a pair of opposing transverse edges;    maintaining said wrapper material in said pre-determined rotational position;    sealing one of said transverse edges of said wrapper material to form a transverse seal having a width defined by a first end and a second end, said tear member extending into said transverse seal adjacent to said first end;    providing a tampon having an axial length, a radial circumference, and an insertion end opposed to a withdrawal end;    inserting said tampon into said wrapper material; and    sealing said opposing transverse edge of said wrapper material to form a transverse seal having a width defined by a first end and a second end, said tear member extending into said transverse seal adjacent to said first end.    
     
     
         2 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position by a rotating cam of a wheel.  
     
     
         3 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position by aligning said wrapper material with a port on a slotted drum.  
     
     
         4 . The process according to  claim 1 , wherein the wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position by a applying a means selected from the group consisting of vacuum, brushes, air nozzles and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said wrapper material provided comprises a graphic registered along said tear member.  
     
     
         6 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein one of said transverse seals is a tear-initiating end, wherein said tampon may be inserted such that the withdrawal end of the tampon is oriented within said wrapper material adjacent to the tear-initiating end.  
     
     
         7 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said tear member is a bead of glue.  
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said tear member is a thread.  
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 1  wherein said tear member is located within about 3 mm of said first ends of said transverse seals.  
     
     
         10 . The according to  claim 1  wherein said tear member is located within about 2 mm of said first ends of said transverse seals.  
     
     
         11 . A process for making a wrapped tampon comprising the steps of: 
 providing a continuously moving wrapper material having a longitudinal axis, a pair of opposing longitudinal edges, a width and an attached tear member, said tear member being parallel to said longitudinal axis;    positioning said wrapper material in a pre-determined rotational position;    folding said wrapper material along said longitudinal axis to overlap said pair of opposing longitudinal edges;    sealing the pair of opposing overlapping longitudinal edges together to form a longitudinal seal;    cutting said wrappper material to form a length and a pair of opposing transverse edges;    maintaining said wrapper material in said pre-determined rotational position;    sealing one of said transverse edges of said wrapper material to form a transverse seal having a width defined by a first end and a second end; said tear member extending into said transverse seal adjacent to said first end;    providing a tampon having an axial length, a radial circumference, and an insertion end opposed to a withdrawal end;    inserting said tampon into said wrapper material;    sealing said opposing transverse edge of said wrapper material to form a transverse seal having a width defined by a first end and a second end, said tear member extending into said transverse seal adjacent to said first end.    
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein the wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position by a rotating cam of a wheel.  
     
     
         13 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein the wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position by aligning said wrapper material with a port on a slotted drum.  
     
     
         14 . The process according to  claim 11 , wherein the wrapper material is maintained in a pre-determined rotational position by a applying a means selected from the group consisting of vacuum, brushes, air nozzles and combination thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein said wrapper material provided comprises a graphic registered along said tear member.  
     
     
         16 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein on 2  of said transverse seals is a tear-initiating end, wherein said tampon may be inserted such that the withdrawal end of the tampon is oriented within said wrapper material adjacent to the tear-initiating end.  
     
     
         17 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein said tear member is a bead of glue.  
     
     
         18 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein said tear member is a thread.  
     
     
         19 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein said tear member is located within about 13 mm of said first ends of said transverse seals.  
     
     
         20 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein said tear member is located within about 2 mm of said first ends of said transverse seals.