US5176152A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of providing convolutable areas on thermoplastic elastomeric films, and films and film products having such areas
Assignee: Family Health International 360
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Filing: 1990-10-31
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Granted: 1993-01-05
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Expires: 2010-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of providing a convoluted area on a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, by applying to the film, one or more discrete pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film, wherein the second film is differentially expandable as compared to the underlying first film. The differential expansion may be caused by application of an agent which causes the second film to swell. Products made according to this method may have elongated strips or other shapes of the second film bonded to the first film in areas of the product for which convolutions, puckers or other regular or irregular deformations are desired.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert G. Wheeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:27
CPC Classifications
B; B32; B32B; B32B3/00; B32B3/10; B32B3/14; B32B7/00; B32B7/02; A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/02; A61F6/04; B29; B29C; B29C61/00; B29C61/06; B32B1/00; B32B1/08; B32B27/00; B32B27/06; B32B27/08; B32B27/40; B29L; B29L2016/00; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7538; B32B2274/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/917; Y10S128/918
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of forming a convolutable area on a thermoplastic elastomeric film comprising: (a) providing a first thermoplastic elastomeric film; (b) providing pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent; and (c) bonding the strips to the first thermoplastic elastomeric film in the area on the first film being formed into a convolutable area.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of forming a convolutable area on a thermoplastic elastomeric film comprising: (a) providing a first thermoplastic elastomeric film; (b) providing pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent; and (c) bonding the strips to the first thermoplastic elastomeric film in the area on the first film being formed into a convolutable area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the pieces are elongated and are bonded parallel to each other on the first thermoplastic elastomeric film.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
20 words
A method according to claims 1, wherein a plurality of convolutable areas are formed on the first thermoplastic elastomeric film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to both sides of the first film.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the pieces of the second film and the first film are bonded together at a pressure of about 1000 psi and a temperature of about 250° F.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first thermoplastic elastomeric film comprises polyurethane film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the first film is not swellable in the presence of the agent and the second thermoplastic elastomeric film comprises a film that is swellable in the presence of the agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1, where the second thermoplastic film is hygroscopic and the agent is water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
A product made of thermoplastic elastomeric film, having one or more areas in which pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent, wherein the product is a condom having a tubular body and elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded circumferentially around said tubular body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A product made of thermoplastic elastomeric film, having one or more areas in which pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent, wherein the product is a condom having a tubular body and elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded circumferentially around said tubular body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A product made of thermoplastic elastomeric film, having one or more areas in which pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent, wherein elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to the condom on the tubular body and extending co-linearly with the tubular body, and wherein near the opening, elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded circumferentially about the tubular body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
89 words
A product made of thermoplastic elastomeric film, having one or more areas in which pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent, wherein elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to the condom on the tubular body and extending co-linearly with the tubular body, and wherein near the opening, elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded circumferentially about the tubular body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
77 words
A product made of thermoplastic elastomeric film, having one or more areas in which pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent, wherein the product is a protective vaginal liner having an introitus and a bag-shaped body and elongated pieces of the said thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded with an axial orientation on the introitus.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
A product made of thermoplastic elastomeric film, having one or more areas in which pieces of a second thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded to a first thermoplastic elastomeric film, said first and second thermoplastic elastomeric films being differentially swellable by use of an agent, wherein the product is a protective vaginal liner having an introitus and a bag-shaped body and elongated pieces of the said thermoplastic elastomeric film are bonded with an axial orientation on the introitus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A product according to claim 11, wherein elongated pieces of the second thermoplastic elastomeric film are also bonded circumferentially about the body.
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