Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of making an adhesive-lined sheath suitable for use as a male external catheter, comprising the steps of supporting on a mandrel an elastic sheath having inner and outer surfaces; providing a flexible laminated tape comprising first and second adhesive layers separated by an elastomeric layer; said elastomeric layer having greater affinity for said second adhesive layer than for said first adhesive layer, and said first adhesive layer having less affinity for said elastomeric layer than the affinity each of said adhesive layers has for the surfaces of said sheath; positioning said tape in adhesive contact with said sheath while the same is supported in unrolled condition on said mandrel with either (a) said first adhesive layer being in adhesive contact with said inner surface of said sheath or (b) said second adhesive layer being in adhesive contact with said outer surface of said sheath; rolling said sheath upon said mandrel so that said tape is interposed between successive turns of said roll with said first adhesive layer in contact with said inner surface and said second adhesive layer in contact with said outer surface; whereby, when said sheath is thereafter unrolled during application upon a wearer, said tape undergoes delamination with said first adhesive layer adhering to the sheath's inner surface for adhesively securing the sheath to a wearer and said second adhesive layer, along with said elastomeric layer, adhering to the sheath's outer surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
237 words
A method of making an adhesive-lined sheath suitable for use as a male external catheter, comprising the steps of supporting on a mandrel an elastic sheath having inner and outer surfaces; providing a flexible laminated tape comprising first and second adhesive layers separated by an elastomeric layer; said elastomeric layer having greater affinity for said second adhesive layer than for said first adhesive layer, and said first adhesive layer having less affinity for said elastomeric layer than the affinity each of said adhesive layers has for the surfaces of said sheath; positioning said tape in adhesive contact with said sheath while the same is supported in unrolled condition on said mandrel with either (a) said first adhesive layer being in adhesive contact with said inner surface of said sheath or (b) said second adhesive layer being in adhesive contact with said outer surface of said sheath; rolling said sheath upon said mandrel so that said tape is interposed between successive turns of said roll with said first adhesive layer in contact with said inner surface and said second adhesive layer in contact with said outer surface; whereby, when said sheath is thereafter unrolled during application upon a wearer, said tape undergoes delamination with said first adhesive layer adhering to the sheath's inner surface for adhesively securing the sheath to a wearer and said second adhesive layer, along with said elastomeric layer, adhering to the sheath's outer surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 in which said positioning step involves positioning said laminated tape with said first adhesive layer in adhesive contact with said inner surface of said sheath while said sheath is supported upon said mandrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 2 in which said tape is positioned in adhesive contact with said inner surface of said sheath by wrapping said tape about said mandrel and then unrolling said sheath over said mandrel and said tape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 3 in which there is the further step of interposing a release layer between said tape and said mandrel to prevent said tape from adhering to said mandrel; said release layer remaining about said mandrel as said rolling step is carried out.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 in which said positioning step involves adhesively contacting said second adhesive layer of said tape with said outer surface of said sheath while said sheath is unrolled about said mandrel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 1 in which there is the further step of applying said sheath to a wearer by unrolling said sheath over the wearer's penis to cause delamination between said first adhesive layer and said elastomeric layer; whereby, said first adhesive layer remains on the inner surface of said sheath for adhesively securing said sheath to the wearer, and said second adhesive layer remains on the outer surface of said sheath and is covered by said elastomeric layer.