EP0291024A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Tampon applicators and compositions for making same
Assignee: Kenvue Brands LLC
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Filing: 1988-05-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A biodegradable tampon applicator comprising a molded, flexible, polymeric hollow cylindrical body for enclosing a tampon therein and having a first open end through which said tampon is expelled and a second open end for receiving means for expelling said tampon, said body comprising a moldable poly 3-hydroxybutyric acid composition.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Webb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A biodegradable tampon applicator comprising a molded, hollow cylindrical body of polymeric material for enclosing a tampon therein and having a first flexible open end through which said tampon is expelled and a second open end for receiving means for expelling said tampon, said body comprising a moldable poly 3-hydroxybutyric acid composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A biodegradable tampon applicator comprising a molded, hollow cylindrical body of polymeric material for enclosing a tampon therein and having a first flexible open end through which said tampon is expelled and a second open end for receiving means for expelling said tampon, said body comprising a moldable poly 3-hydroxybutyric acid composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tampon applicator of claim 1 wherein said poly 3-hydroxybutyric acid is a copolymer comprising 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tampon applicator of claim 2 wherein said 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues are present in the range of from about 5 to about 30 mol %, preferably from about 10 to about 30 mol %, based on the total moles of 3-hydroxybutyric and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues present.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
68 words
The tampon applicator of any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein said body further comprises a plasticizer in an amount sufficient to impart the material of said body with a modulus of elasticity of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 GPa, more preferably in an amount sufficient to impart the material of said body with a modulus of elasticity of from about 0.3 to about 0.6 GPa.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tampon applicator of claim 4 wherein said plasticizer is present in an amount of less than 40 parts per hundred parts (by weight) of polymer, preferably in an amount of from 10 to about 30 parts per hundred parts by weight of polymer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The tampon applicator of claim 4 or 5 wherein said plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of diacetin, dibenzoate, triethyl phosphate, alkylarylphosphate, iso-decyl diphenyl phosphate. butylbenzyl phthalate, neopentyl glycol, p-toluene sulphonamide, dialkylalkyleneoxide glutarate and mixtures thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tampon applicator of claim 6 wherein said plasticizer comprises a mixture of p-toluene sulphonamide and dialkylalkyleneoxide glutarate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tampon applicator of any of the claims 1 to 7, including a nucleating agent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The tampon applicator of any of the claims 1 to 8, including a biodegradable filler.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for making a tampon applicator comprising employing a composition comprising a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues and a plasticizer; the mol % of said 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues and the quantity of plasticizer selected to result in said composition having a melt flow time of not more than 20 minutes and when molded to result in a material having a modulus of elasticity of 0.2 to 1.0 GPa.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for making a tampon applicator comprising employing a composition comprising a copolymer of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues and a plasticizer; the mol % of said 3-hydroxyvaleric acid residues and the quantity of plasticizer selected to result in said composition having a melt flow time of not more than 20 minutes and when molded to result in a material having a modulus of elasticity of 0.2 to 1.0 GPa.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10, wherein a composition according to any of the claims 2 to 9 is employed.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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