US5169464A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making a condom by blow extrusion
Assignee: Family Health International 360
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Filing: 1991-10-04
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2011-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A condom having a blow formed tubular main sheath portion, and a method for making the condom. Blow extrusion techniques of fabrication are described, together with the use of various thermoplastic materials of construction, including polyurethanes, polyether block amides, styrene-rubber-styrene block copolymers, ethylene-octene copolymers, and polyesters. The condom is made by blow extruding a tubular film of thermoplastic material to form a main sheath portion, severing the main sheath portion into one or more condom pieces, and sealing one end of each piece.
Inventors
- 👤 Robin G. Foldesy
- 👤 Robert G. Wheeler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 13:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/02; A61F6/04; B; B29; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/753; B29L2031/7538; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of making a tubular condom article, comprising: extruding a tubular film of a thermoplastic elastomeric film material; interiorly pressurizing the extruded tubular film at a pressure of from 1 to 12 ounces per square inch of film, to form an expanded tubular film constituting a tubular main sheath portion of the condom having respective first and second ends, which has a film thickness of from 0.0015 inch to 0.005 inch and which is of a size and character permitting the condom to be closely conformable to a penis of a wearer; sealing the first end of the tubular main sheath portion to form a closed distal end for the condom whereby the condom comprises the tubular main portion with the closed distal end and an open proximal end; and providing a reinforcing ring at the periphery of the open proximal end of the tubular main sheath portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of making a tubular condom article, comprising: extruding a tubular film of a thermoplastic elastomeric film material; interiorly pressurizing the extruded tubular film at a pressure of from 1 to 12 ounces per square inch of film, to form an expanded tubular film constituting a tubular main sheath portion of the condom having respective first and second ends, which has a film thickness of from 0.0015 inch to 0.005 inch and which is of a size and character permitting the condom to be closely conformable to a penis of a wearer; sealing the first end of the tubular main sheath portion to form a closed distal end for the condom whereby the condom comprises the tubular main portion with the closed distal end and an open proximal end; and providing a reinforcing ring at the periphery of the open proximal end of the tubular main sheath portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the tubular main sheath portion has film thickness of from 0.002 inch to 0.004 inch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the extruding step is conducted at temperature in the range of from about 300° F. to about 450° F.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said sealing step comprises heat sealing the first end of the tubular main sheath portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the sealing step comprises impulse heat sealing the first end of the tubular main sheath portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein said impulse heat sealing is conducted at temperature in the range of from 190° F. to 340° F.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 6, wherein the impulse heat sealing is carried out at said temperature for a period of from 1 to 3 seconds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said sealing comprises ultrasonic sealing of the first end of the tubular main sheath portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein said ultrasonic sealing is carried out with contemporaneous severing of the expanded tubular film.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said thermoplastic elastomeric film material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: polyurethane materials; polyester elastomers; polyether block amides; multiblock rubber-based copolymers; and copolymers, mixtures, alloys and composites thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric film material comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polyester-based polyurethanes and multiblock rubber-based copolymers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric film material comprises polyurethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric film material comprises polyurethane having: a specific gravity of from about 1.15 to about 1.25; a Shore A hardness of from about 80 to about 95; a break tensile stress of from about 4500 to about 6,000 psi; a tensile stress at 50% elongation of from about 720 to about 2400 psi; an ultimate elongation of from about 450% to about 600%; a flexural modulus of from about 4,000 to about 37,000 psi; and a tear strength from about 500 to about 1,000 pli.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic elastomeric film material comprises a multiblock rubber-based copolymer having: a Shore A hardness of from about 25 to about 100; a tensile strength of from about 500 to about 4500 psi; a 300% modulus of from about 120 to about 1,000 psi; and an ultimate elongation of from about 200% to about 1400%.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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