Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for the continuous production of a plurality of adhesive bandage strips enclosed in an integral wrapper from a continuous length of a bulky, nonwoven fabric comprising the steps of (a) forming a continuous length of a bulky, nonwoven fabric comprising a bandage portion and adjacent wrapper portion, (b) lapping the central area of said bandage portion in a Z-fold to form a triple thickness pad area extending down the length of said bandage portion with single thickness wing areas extending outward therefrom, (c) securing the folded central pad area of the bandage portion to prevent the unfolding thereof, (d) compacting said wrapper portion and said single thickness wing areas of said bandage portion to a dense, sheet-like structure, (e) applying an adhesive coating to one surface of said compacted wing areas of said bandage portion, (f) folding said wrapper portion around said bandage portion to cover both surfaces thereof, said wrapper portion having adhesive release properties over at least that area of the surface thereof in contact with adhesive-coated surfaces of said bandage portion, (g) sealing the edge of said wrapper portion to the underlying edge of said bandage portion to enclose the bandage portion within the wrapper, and (h) cutting said folded wrapper and enclosed bandage portion into narrow strips transversely to the machine direction thereof and sealing the cut edges of said wrapper to the underlying bandage whereby to obtain an adhesive strip bandage fully enclosed within said wrapper.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
243 words
A method for the continuous production of a plurality of adhesive bandage strips enclosed in an integral wrapper from a continuous length of a bulky, nonwoven fabric comprising the steps of (a) forming a continuous length of a bulky, nonwoven fabric comprising a bandage portion and adjacent wrapper portion, (b) lapping the central area of said bandage portion in a Z-fold to form a triple thickness pad area extending down the length of said bandage portion with single thickness wing areas extending outward therefrom, (c) securing the folded central pad area of the bandage portion to prevent the unfolding thereof, (d) compacting said wrapper portion and said single thickness wing areas of said bandage portion to a dense, sheet-like structure, (e) applying an adhesive coating to one surface of said compacted wing areas of said bandage portion, (f) folding said wrapper portion around said bandage portion to cover both surfaces thereof, said wrapper portion having adhesive release properties over at least that area of the surface thereof in contact with adhesive-coated surfaces of said bandage portion, (g) sealing the edge of said wrapper portion to the underlying edge of said bandage portion to enclose the bandage portion within the wrapper, and (h) cutting said folded wrapper and enclosed bandage portion into narrow strips transversely to the machine direction thereof and sealing the cut edges of said wrapper to the underlying bandage whereby to obtain an adhesive strip bandage fully enclosed within said wrapper.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said bulky nonwoven fabric comprises heat-fusible fibers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method of claim 2 wherein said wrapper portion is compacted into said dense, sheet-like structure by hot calendering.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said compacted wrapper is coated or impregnated with a polymeric composition which imparts adhesive release properties to the material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method of claim 4 wherein said polymeric composition is polyethylene, polypropylene or a silicone polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said wrapper is laminated to a polymeric film having adhesive release properties.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 6 wherein said polymeric film is polyethylene or polypropylene.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method of claim 1 wherein said wrapper includes a polymeric film affixed to and extending from said compacted wrapper portion of said nonwoven fabric, said polymeric film being in contact with the adhesive surface of the bandage enclosed by said wrapper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A method of claim 8 wherein said polymeric film is polyethylene or polypropylene.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of claim 2 wherein said nonwoven fabric comprises a mixture of absorbent fibers with at least 10% heat-fusible fibers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method of claim 11 wherein said heat-fusible fibers are staple length polyester core/polyethylene sheath conjugate fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of claim 2 wherein said nonwoven fabric comprises a core of a mixture of absorbent fibers and heat-fusible polyester/polyethylene conjugate fibers and an outer veneer of heat-fusible polyester or polyethylene fibers on both faces of said core.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 12 wherein said absorbent fibers are selected from the group consisting of rayon, cotton, wood pulp, cotton linters, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of claim 12 wherein the wound facing surface of the pad of said bandage is heat-glazed to impart nonsticking wound release properties thereto.