US3954104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Water-dispersible, biodegradable compositions and containers and the like made therefrom
Assignee: Personal Products Co
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Filing: 1974-11-27
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Granted: 1976-05-04
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Expires: 1994-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A thermoplastic, water-dispersible, biodegradable composition of matter which is resistant to fungal attack prior to dispersal, and containers and the like made therefrom. The composition comprises hydroxyalkyl cellulose, starch, and a member selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid and its alkali metal salts as the anti-fungal agent. Only a member of this group is found to be an effective anti-fungal agent in the composition of the invention.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenneth S. Kraskin
- 👤 Mohamed W. Hammad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:43
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08L; C08L3/00; C08L3/02; A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; A61L; A61L15/00; A61L15/16; A61L15/20; A61L15/22; A61L15/225; A61L15/42; A61L15/46; C08K; C08K5/00; C08K5/04; C08K5/09; C08L1/00; C08L1/08; C08L1/26; C08L1/28; C08L1/284; A61L2300/00; A61L2300/40; A61L2300/404
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
An applicator for tampons and the like comprising: a. a self-supporting, open-ended tube of a thermoplastic, water-dispersible, biodegradable composition of matter comprising hydroxyalkyl cellulose, starch, and an antimycotically-effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid and its alkali metal salts; and b. a substantially rigid biodegradable plunger moveably received within said tube and adapted to expel a tampon or the like from within said tube, whereby the applicator is completely biodegradable and disposable in a toilet system and yet is resistant to fungal attack prior to disposal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
An applicator for tampons and the like comprising: a. a self-supporting, open-ended tube of a thermoplastic, water-dispersible, biodegradable composition of matter comprising hydroxyalkyl cellulose, starch, and an antimycotically-effective amount of a member selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid and its alkali metal salts; and b. a substantially rigid biodegradable plunger moveably received within said tube and adapted to expel a tampon or the like from within said tube, whereby the applicator is completely biodegradable and disposable in a toilet system and yet is resistant to fungal attack prior to disposal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
An applicator for tampons and the like as in claim 1 wherein the hydroxyalkyl cellulose is hydroxypropyl cellulose having a molecular weight of about 300,000 and a molar substitution of from about 3 to about 5 and the starch is corn starch, and wherein the starch comprises by weight from about 1.5 to about 2.5 times the weight of the hydroxyalkyl cellulose.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator for tampons and the like as in claim 2 wherein the composition of matter comprises at least about 0.1% by weight sorbic acid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator for tampons and the like as in claim 2 wherein the composition of matter comprises at least about 0.2% by weight potassium sorbate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
An applicator for tampons and the like as in claim 2 wherein the composition of matter comprises about 0.1% by weight sorbic acid and further comprises a lubricant, an antioxidant, and an opacifying agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator for tampons and the like as in claim 1 wherein the composition of matter comprises at least about 0.1% by weight sorbic acid.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator for tampons and the like as in claim 1 wherein the composition of matter comprises at least about 0.2% by weight potassium sorbate.
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) | 1979-05-04 | 1979-11-03 | 1980-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-04 | 1983-11-03 | 1984-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-11-03 | 1988-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |