US3830236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Applicator tube for inserting hygienic media
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
•
Filing: 1973-02-28
•
Granted: 1974-08-20
•
Expires: 1993-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A plastic applicator tube for inserting hygienic media into body cavities in which the forward end of the tube has a substantially closed dome-like or tapered structure comprised of juxtaposed triangular-shaped flexible segments adapted to open radially outward when the hygienic media is expelled therethrough. The tube is injection-molded or thermo-formed so that at least the outwardly facing edges of the juxtaposed sides of the segments have a rounded contour in cross-section. When the outwardly facing edges are formed by injection molding, the outer circumferential surface area of the segmented tube end is also free of the flash which sometimes forms during such molding.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hanke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:56
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/26; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; A61M; A61M31/00; A61M31/007; B29C45/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
In an applicator tube of the type adapted for inserting hygienic media into body cavities and comprising an injectionmolded thin-walled tube of flexible plastic in which the forward end portion of the tube is in the form of a tapered structure made of a multiplicity of juxtaposed triangular-shaped segments having free unattached side portions and adapted to open radially outward when tube contents are expelled therethrough, the improvement wherein the outwardly facing edges of the free unattached side portions of the segments as molded have a smoothly rounded contour in cross-section, said outwardly facing edges being completely free of flash, and any flash formed during molding being confined to the segment edge portions disposed at the inside walls of the tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
In an applicator tube of the type adapted for inserting hygienic media into body cavities and comprising an injectionmolded thin-walled tube of flexible plastic in which the forward end portion of the tube is in the form of a tapered structure made of a multiplicity of juxtaposed triangular-shaped segments having free unattached side portions and adapted to open radially outward when tube contents are expelled therethrough, the improvement wherein the outwardly facing edges of the free unattached side portions of the segments as molded have a smoothly rounded contour in cross-section, said outwardly facing edges being completely free of flash, and any flash formed during molding being confined to the segment edge portions disposed at the inside walls of the tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The applicator tube of claim 1 wherein the inwardly facing edges of the free unattached side portions of the juxtaposed segments as molded are also smoothly rounded in cross-section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-19 | 1978-02-18 | 1978-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-19 | 1982-02-18 | 1982-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-19 | 1986-02-18 | 1986-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |