US4279245A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible tube
Assignee: Olympus Corp
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Filing: 1979-09-10
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Granted: 1981-07-21
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Expires: 1999-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A flexible tube and a method of manufacturing same are provided. The flexible tube comprises a tubular body of a crystalline polymer material having a porous microstructure including a number of micro-nodes which are coupled together by fibrils. A synthetic resin material having gas tightness and stretchability is filled into the pores of the porous microstructure.
Inventors
- 👤 Takeji Takagi
- 👤 Kiyokazu Hosaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:34
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16L; F16L11/00; F16L11/04; F16L11/12; F16L11/125; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0055; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A flexible endoscope tube comprising a tubular body of a crystalline polymer material having a porous microstructure which include a number of micro-nodes which are coupled together by fibrils, and a synthetic resin material having water or gas tightness and stretchability which is filled into the pores of the porous microstructure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A flexible endoscope tube comprising a tubular body of a crystalline polymer material having a porous microstructure which include a number of micro-nodes which are coupled together by fibrils, and a synthetic resin material having water or gas tightness and stretchability which is filled into the pores of the porous microstructure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A flexible tube according to claim 1 in which the crystalline polymer material comprises a fluorine resin or polyolefin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A flexible tube according to claim 2 in which the fluorine resin comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A flexible tube according to claim 2 in which the polyolefin comprises polypropylene resin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A flexible tube according to claim 2 in which the fluorine resin comprises polytetrafluoroethylene containing extractable silicate, carbonate, metal, metal oxide, sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and hexafluoropropylene, starch or sugar.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A flexible tube according to claim 1 in which the synthetic resin material comprises a fluorine resin, polyurethane, polyimide, polyester, nylon, polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene.
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) | 1984-07-20 | 1985-01-19 | 1985-07-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-20 | 1989-01-19 | 1989-07-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-20 | 1993-01-19 | 1993-07-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |