US6019743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalin body cavity
Assignee: Kenvue Brands LLC
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Filing: 1997-06-30
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Granted: 2000-02-01
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Expires: 2017-06-30
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity. The applicator has an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, and an elongate expulsion member which is slidable within the structural member. The structural member has opposed inside and outside surfaces, and its length dimension is substantially greater than its width and height dimension. In addition, the structural member has a plurality of flex-enhancing elements which are arranged and configured to increase the lateral flexibility of the structural member.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T. Cole
- 👤 Andrew J. Hagerty
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:44
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1002; Y10T156/1007; Y10T156/1008; Y10T156/1013; Y10T156/1036
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, a front half comprising the insertion end and a back half comprising the gripper end, and a plurality of flex-enhancing elements which are arranged and configured in both the front and back halves to increase the lateral flexibility of the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, a front half comprising the insertion end and a back half comprising the gripper end, and a plurality of flex-enhancing elements which are arranged and configured in both the front and back halves to increase the lateral flexibility of the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the flex-enhancing elements are arranged and configured to substantially maintain sufficient longitudinal compressive strength of the structural member to resist collapse in the longitudinal direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 which further comprises a layer of flexible material disposed on the outside surface of the structural member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flexible applicator of claim 3 wherein the flexible material layer is unsupported by the structural member in the region of the flex-enhancing elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The flexible applicator of claim 3 wherein the flexible material layer is a polymeric layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible applicator of claim 5 wherein the polymeric layer is a film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flexible applicator of claim 3 wherein the flexible material layer comprises an elastomer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the flex-enhancing elements are disposed along the length of the structural member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the flex-enhancing elements comprise perforations having edges.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The flexible applicator of claim 9 wherein the edges substantially abut.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The flexible applicator of claim 9 wherein the edges are spaced apart.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the flex-enhancing elements comprise a fold.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The flexible applicator of claim 12 wherein the fold is directed substantially inwardly whereby the outside surface of the structural member is substantially smooth.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the insertion end is substantially closed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the gripper end has at least one grip-enhancing feature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 wherein the flex-enhancing elements have a major axis and a minor axis, and the major axis is oriented substantially perpendicular to the length of the applicator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible applicator of claim 1 which further comprises a layer of flexible material disposed on the inside surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, and a plurality of flex-enhancing elements arranged in a substantially offset, alternating pattern along the length of the structural member to provide lateral flexibility to the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
95 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, and a plurality of flex-enhancing elements arranged in a substantially offset, alternating pattern along the length of the structural member to provide lateral flexibility to the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The flexible applicator of claim 18 wherein the flex-enhancing elements are disposed along the length of the structural member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flexible applicator of claim 18 wherein the elongated expulsion member comprises flex-enhancing elements.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The flexible applicator of claim 18 wherein the flex-enhancing elements comprise perforations having edges.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible applicator of claim 18 wherein the insertion end is substantially closed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, and a plurality of flex-enhancing elements are arranged and configured to provide lateral flexibility to the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member, the elongate expulsion member having flex-enhancing elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, and a plurality of flex-enhancing elements are arranged and configured to provide lateral flexibility to the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member, the elongate expulsion member having flex-enhancing elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
88 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a layer of a flexible material disposed on the outside surface, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, and means to provide lateral flexibility to the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
88 words
A flexible applicator for inserting an article into a mammalian body cavity comprising: a) an elongate, hollow, structural member suitable for containing the insertable article, the structural member having opposed inside and outside surfaces, a layer of a flexible material disposed on the outside surface, a length dimension which is substantially greater than both a width and a height dimension, opposed insertion and gripper ends, and means to provide lateral flexibility to the structural member; and b) an elongate expulsion member which is slideable within the structural member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The flexible applicator of claim 24 wherein the flexible material layer is unsupported by the structural member in the region of the means to provide lateral flexibility.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The flexible applicator of claim 24 wherein the lateral flexibility means is disposed along the length of the structural member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The flexible applicator of claim 24 wherein the insertion end is substantially closed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The flexible applicator of claim 24 wherein the gripper end has at least one grip-enhancing feature.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
22 words
The flexible applicator of claim 24 wherein the elongate expulsion member comprises means to provide lateral flexibility to the elongate expulsion member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-31 | 2003-08-02 | 2004-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-31 | 2007-08-02 | 2008-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-08-02 | 2012-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |