Patent US5531671A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5531671A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cotton swabs with expanded tips
Assignee: Chesebrough Ponds USA Inc
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Filing: 1995-03-28
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Granted: 1996-07-02
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Expires: 2015-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A cotton swab is described whose stick is formed from an elongate stem with a conical member at each end flared outwardly and having a hollow center. The hollow flared conical members provide expanded swab ends rendering the tips softer and larger yet employing less cotton and paper in its manufacture. A die-cut paper used for forming the swab stick and a manufacturing process are also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Bennett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:07
CPC Classifications
A; A45; A45D; A45D40/00; A45D40/26; A45D40/28; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/38; A61F13/385; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S493/00; Y10S493/943
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A swab comprising: an elongate stem with first and second ends opposite one another; a conical member formed at each of the first and second ends, the conical member continuously flaring outwardly from each of said first and second ends and having a hollow center the stem and conical members being formed unitarily from a single paper; and an absorbent covering surrounding each of the conical members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A swab comprising: an elongate stem with first and second ends opposite one another; a conical member formed at each of the first and second ends, the conical member continuously flaring outwardly from each of said first and second ends and having a hollow center the stem and conical members being formed unitarily from a single paper; and an absorbent covering surrounding each of the conical members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The swab according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent covering is cotton.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The swab according to claim 1 wherein the hollow center is enlarged and the conical member outwardly flared by contact with a spinning mandrel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The swab according to claim 1 wherein the single paper is a sheet having mirror image curved left and right edges cut along a length thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The swab according to claim 1 wherein the single paper is a die-cut paper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The swab according to claim 1 wherein the conical member at an end thereof distant from the stem has an open mouth.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-02 | 2000-01-01 | 2000-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-02 | 2004-01-01 | 2004-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-02 | 2008-01-01 | 2008-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |