US3581744A — Laminated tube structure

Claim 1

Independent Claim 166 words

An hygienic applicator comprising: a tubular member for receiving an hygienic medium, said tubular member having a forward portion, a rear end and a longitudinal, central axis, the forward portion of said tubular member being pleated to form a tapered forward end having a substantially smooth exterior surface and adapted to readily unfold during ejection of the hygienic medium, the tubular member comprising a laminated paper structure including: a thin inner ply; an outer ply, thicker than the inner ply and having a smooth exterior surface coating; and an intermediate ply, interposed between and bonded to the inner and outer plies, comprising a short-fibered paper having negligible fold resistance, said plies being formed of strips disposed helically about the longitudinal axis in overlapping, staggered relation; means mounted adjacent the rear end of the tubular member for reenforcing the tubular member and providing a gripping means therefor; and, means, disposed within said tubular member, for ejecting said hygienic medium from the forward end of said tubular member.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 166 words

An hygienic applicator comprising: a tubular member for receiving an hygienic medium, said tubular member having a forward portion, a rear end and a longitudinal, central axis, the forward portion of said tubular member being pleated to form a tapered forward end having a substantially smooth exterior surface and adapted to readily unfold during ejection of the hygienic medium, the tubular member comprising a laminated paper structure including: a thin inner ply; an outer ply, thicker than the inner ply and having a smooth exterior surface coating; and an intermediate ply, interposed between and bonded to the inner and outer plies, comprising a short-fibered paper having negligible fold resistance, said plies being formed of strips disposed helically about the longitudinal axis in overlapping, staggered relation; means mounted adjacent the rear end of the tubular member for reenforcing the tubular member and providing a gripping means therefor; and, means, disposed within said tubular member, for ejecting said hygienic medium from the forward end of said tubular member.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 31 words

An applicator, as defined in claim 1, in which: the force required to eject the hygienic medium from the forward end of the tubular member is about 1 pound or less.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 29 words

An applicator, as defined in claim 1, in which: the exterior surface coating on the outer ply is nonabsorbent and selected from the group consisting of silicone and clay.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 89 words

An applicator, as defined in claim 1, in which: the paper of the inner ply is tissue comprising bleached softwood Kraft and having greater fold endurance than each of the outer and intermediate plies; the paper of the outer ply comprises a major amount of bleached hardwood Kraft and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; and the paper of the intermediate ply comprises a major amount of groundwood and a minor amount of bleached Kraft selected from the group consisting of hardwood Kraft, softwood Kraft and mixtures thereof.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

An applicator, as defined in claim 1, in which: the plies are bonded together by a brittle, water-soluble adhesive.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 67 words

An applicator, as defined in claim 1, in which: the means for ejecting the hygienic medium comprises a three ply, laminated tube slidably disposed, in telescoping relation, within the rear portion of said tubular member; and, the means for reenforcing the tubular member and providing a gripping means therefor comprises a laminated ring bonded to the exterior surface of the tubular member adjacent the rear end thereof.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 158 words

A tampon applicator comprising: an external tube for receiving a tampon and having a folded, tapered forward end which is readily unfolded by passage of the tampon therethrough during ejection of the tampon, a rear end and a longitudinal, central axis; an internal tube, coaxially and slidably disposed in telescoping fashion within the external tube for ejecting the tampon from the forward end of the external tube, the internal tube having a folded, necked down forward end for engaging the tampon, at least said external tube comprising a laminated, helically wound paper structure including: a thin inner ply composed of tissue having a high fold endurance; an outer ply composed of paper thicker than said inner ply and having less fold endurance and having a smooth exterior coating; and an intermediate ply, interposed between and bonded to said inner and outer plies with a brittle, water-soluble adhesive, and composed of uncoated, short-fibered blotter-type paper having negligible fold resistance.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 158 words

A tampon applicator comprising: an external tube for receiving a tampon and having a folded, tapered forward end which is readily unfolded by passage of the tampon therethrough during ejection of the tampon, a rear end and a longitudinal, central axis; an internal tube, coaxially and slidably disposed in telescoping fashion within the external tube for ejecting the tampon from the forward end of the external tube, the internal tube having a folded, necked down forward end for engaging the tampon, at least said external tube comprising a laminated, helically wound paper structure including: a thin inner ply composed of tissue having a high fold endurance; an outer ply composed of paper thicker than said inner ply and having less fold endurance and having a smooth exterior coating; and an intermediate ply, interposed between and bonded to said inner and outer plies with a brittle, water-soluble adhesive, and composed of uncoated, short-fibered blotter-type paper having negligible fold resistance.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 40 words

A tampon applicator, as defined in claim 7, including: a laminated paper ring disposed about and bonded to the exterior surface of the external tube adjacent the rear end thereof for reenforcing the external tube and providing a gripping means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 108 words

A laminate comprising: a thin, first ply comprising a single sheet having a high fold endurance; a thin, second ply, comprising a single paper sheet having a fold endurance less than the first ply and having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent, coated surface and an uncoated surface; and, an intermediate ply, interposed between the first and second plies and bonded thereto, the uncoated surface of the second ply being adjacent the intermediate ply, said intermediate ply comprising a single, short-fibered, absorbent paper sheet having a fold endurance substantially less than each of the first and second plies and a thickness greater than each of the first and second plies.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 108 words

A laminate comprising: a thin, first ply comprising a single sheet having a high fold endurance; a thin, second ply, comprising a single paper sheet having a fold endurance less than the first ply and having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent, coated surface and an uncoated surface; and, an intermediate ply, interposed between the first and second plies and bonded thereto, the uncoated surface of the second ply being adjacent the intermediate ply, said intermediate ply comprising a single, short-fibered, absorbent paper sheet having a fold endurance substantially less than each of the first and second plies and a thickness greater than each of the first and second plies.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 21 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the second ply is at least as thick as the first ply.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the second ply has a thickness up to about twice that of the first ply.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 42 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the paper of the second ply comprises a major amount of bleached hardwood Kraft and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; and, the first ply comprises paper essentially of bleached softwood Kraft.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 27 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the smooth, coated surface of the second ply is selected from the group consisting of silicone and clay.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 41 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the paper of the intermediate ply comprises a major amount of groundwood and a minor amount of bleached Kraft selected from the group consisting of hardwood Kraft, softwood Kraft, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 69 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the paper of the second ply comprises at least 75 percent bleached hardwood Kraft, and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; the first ply comprises paper essentially of bleached softwood Kraft; and, the paper of the intermediate ply comprises at least 85 percent groundwood and a minor amount of a mixture of bleached hardwood Kraft and bleached softwood Kraft.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

A laminate, as defined in claim 9, in which: the first ply is paper having a glazed surface and an unglazed surface, the glazed surface being adjacent the intermediate ply.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 135 words

A laminated tubular structure for use in hygienic media applicator devices, comprising: a thin inner ply comprising a single paper sheet having a high fold endurance; a thin outer ply comprising a single paper sheet having a fold endurance less than the inner ply and having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent coated exterior surface and an uncoated interior surface; and an intermediate ply interposed between the inner and outer plies, the uncoated, interior surface of the outer ply being adjacent the intermediate ply, the intermediate ply comprising a single, short-fibered, absorbent, paper sheet having a fold endurance substantially less than each of the inner and outer plies and a thickness greater than each of the inner and outer plies, the inner, outer and intermediate plies being in the form of wound strips bonded together by adhesive.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 135 words

A laminated tubular structure for use in hygienic media applicator devices, comprising: a thin inner ply comprising a single paper sheet having a high fold endurance; a thin outer ply comprising a single paper sheet having a fold endurance less than the inner ply and having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent coated exterior surface and an uncoated interior surface; and an intermediate ply interposed between the inner and outer plies, the uncoated, interior surface of the outer ply being adjacent the intermediate ply, the intermediate ply comprising a single, short-fibered, absorbent, paper sheet having a fold endurance substantially less than each of the inner and outer plies and a thickness greater than each of the inner and outer plies, the inner, outer and intermediate plies being in the form of wound strips bonded together by adhesive.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the outer ply is at least as thick as the inner ply.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 24 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the outer ply has a thickness up to twice that of the inner ply.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 44 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the paper of the outer ply comprises a major amount of bleached hardwood Kraft and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; and, the paper of the inner ply comprises essentially bleached softwood Kraft.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 28 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the coated exterior surface of the outer ply is selected from the group consisting of silicone and clay.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 42 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the paper of the intermediate ply comprises a major amount of groundwood and a minor amount of bleached Kraft selected from the group consisting of hardwood Kraft, softwood Kraft, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 71 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the paper of the outer ply comprises at least 75 percent bleached hardwood Kraft, and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; the paper of the inner ply comprises essentially bleached softwood Kraft; and, the paper of the intermediate ply comprises at least 85 percent groundwood and a minor amount of a mixture of bleached hardwood Kraft and bleached softwood Kraft.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 17, in which: the inner ply has a glazed surface and an unglazed surface, the glazed surface being adjacent the intermediate ply.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 112 words

A laminated tubular structure for use in hygienic media applicator means, said tubular structure having a longitudinal, central axis and comprising: a thin inner ply; an outer ply, thicker than said inner ply and comprising paper having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent exterior coating and an uncoated, absorbent interior surface; an intermediate ply, interposed between the inner ply and the interior surface of the outer ply and comprising an uncoated, blotter-type, short-fibered, porous paper, thicker than each of the inner and outer plies, said inner, outer and intermediate plies comprising strips helically oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular structure and wound in overlapping, staggered relation and bonded together by adhesive.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 112 words

A laminated tubular structure for use in hygienic media applicator means, said tubular structure having a longitudinal, central axis and comprising: a thin inner ply; an outer ply, thicker than said inner ply and comprising paper having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent exterior coating and an uncoated, absorbent interior surface; an intermediate ply, interposed between the inner ply and the interior surface of the outer ply and comprising an uncoated, blotter-type, short-fibered, porous paper, thicker than each of the inner and outer plies, said inner, outer and intermediate plies comprising strips helically oriented relative to the longitudinal axis of the tubular structure and wound in overlapping, staggered relation and bonded together by adhesive.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 27 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 25, in which: the exterior coating on said outer ply is selected from the group consisting of silicone and clay.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 30 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 25, in which: the inner ply comprises paper tissue having a fold endurance substantially greater than each of the outer and intermediate plies.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 91 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 27, in which: the inner ply fiber is substantially 100 percent bleached softwood Kraft, and has a caliper between about 0.002 and 0.003 inch; the outer ply fiber is approximately 76 percent bleached hardwood Kraft and approximately 24 percent bleached softwood Kraft, and has a caliper between about 0.003 and 0.004 inch; the intermediate ply fiber is approximately 7 percent bleached softwood Kraft, approximately 6 percent bleached hardwood Kraft and approximately 87 percent groundwood, and has a caliper between about 0.005 and 0.006 inch.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 16 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 25, in which: the adhesive is brittle and water-soluble.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 134 words

A laminated applicator tube, for containing an hygienic medium, said tube having a forward end, a rear end and a longitudinal central axis, comprising: an inner ply having a high fold endurance; an outer ply having a fold endurance less than the inner ply and formed of a paper sheet having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent exterior surface; and, an intermediate ply, interposed between and bonded to the inner and outer plies and comprising a blotter-type, short-fibered paper having negligible fold resistance, said plies being formed of strips disposed concentrically about the longitudinal axis in overlapping fashion relative to one another, the forward end of said tube including tightly abutting pleats forming a generally tapered configuration, said tapered forward end being adapted to readily unfold as the hygienic medium is ejected from the applicator tube.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 134 words

A laminated applicator tube, for containing an hygienic medium, said tube having a forward end, a rear end and a longitudinal central axis, comprising: an inner ply having a high fold endurance; an outer ply having a fold endurance less than the inner ply and formed of a paper sheet having a smooth, substantially nonabsorbent exterior surface; and, an intermediate ply, interposed between and bonded to the inner and outer plies and comprising a blotter-type, short-fibered paper having negligible fold resistance, said plies being formed of strips disposed concentrically about the longitudinal axis in overlapping fashion relative to one another, the forward end of said tube including tightly abutting pleats forming a generally tapered configuration, said tapered forward end being adapted to readily unfold as the hygienic medium is ejected from the applicator tube.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 32 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the force required to eject the hygienic medium from the forward end of the applicator tube is approximately 1 pound or less.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 51 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the inner ply comprises tissue paper having a glazed surface and an unglazed surface and a fold endurance substantially greater than each of the outer and intermediate plies, the glazed surface of the inner ply being disposed adjAcent the intermediate ply.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 41 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the outer ply has a thickness up to about twice that of the inner ply; and the intermediate ply has a thickness greater than each of the inner and outer plies.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 45 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the paper of the outer ply comprises a major amount of bleached hardwood Kraft and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; and the inner ply is formed of paper comprising essentially bleached softwood Kraft.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 31 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the substantially nonabsorbent exterior surface of the outer ply is a coating selected from the group consisting of silicone and clay.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 42 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the paper of the intermediate ply comprises a major amount of groundwood and a minor amount of bleached Kraft selected from the group consisting of hardwood Kraft, softwood Kraft, and mixtures thereof.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 70 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the paper of the outer ply comprises at least 75 percent bleached hardwood Kraft, and a minor amount of bleached softwood Kraft; the inner ply comprises paper essentially of bleached softwood Kraft; and the paper of the intermediate ply comprises at least 85 percent groundwood and a minor amount of a mixture of bleached hardwood Kraft and bleached softwood Kraft.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 92 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 37, in which: the inner ply fiber is substantially 100 percent bleached softwood Kraft and has a caliper between about 0.002 and 0.003 inch; the outer ply fiber is approximately 76 percent bleached hardwood Kraft and approximately 24 percent bleached softwood Kraft and has a caliper between about 0.003 and 0.004 inch; and, the intermediate ply fiber is approximately 7 percent bleached softwood Kraft, approximately 6 percent bleached hardwood Kraft and approximately 87 percent groundwood, and has a caliper between about 0.005 and 0.006 inch.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 20 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, in which: the plies are bonded together by a water-soluble brittle glue.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 32 words

A tubular structure, as defined in claim 30, which includes: a ring bonded to the exterior surface of the tubular structure adjacent the rear end thereof, said ring comprising a multi-ply structure.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-05-31	1974-11-30	1975-06-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-05-31	1978-11-30	1979-06-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-05-31	1982-11-30	1983-06-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Laminated tube structure

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