Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Hollow or container type article – Shrinkable or shrunk
Reexamination Certificate
1997-08-06
2001-04-24
Dye, Rena L. (Department: 1772)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Hollow or container type article
Shrinkable or shrunk
C428S035700, C428S036800, C428S036900, C002S161700, C002S167000, C002S168000, C602S007000, C602S042000, C128S844000, C215S011100, C604S234000, C604S235000, C604S327000, C433S136000, C606S234000, C156S085000, C156S086000, C264S289300
Reexamination Certificate
active
06221447
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to condoms, gloves, catheters, and other rubbery items, and in particular to condoms, gloves, catheters, and other rubbery items that are hypo-allergenic and/or can shrink when their temperature rises above a transition temperature.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Condoms offer highly effective prevention against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases when used consistently and properly. However, condom purchase and use are limited by several factors, prominent among them being sexual dissatisfaction by the user and his partner, concern over impotence, allergic reaction, and occasional failures, such as falling off, even when used properly by experienced users. A snug fit during sexual activity would reduce occasional failures and provide for greater satisfaction. In addition, the application of some pressure against the penis by a snugly fitting condom may help to restrict venous blood return, in turn maintaining erection better or longer.
Also, there exists a great need for a variety of products to be made of a material similar to natural latex, but of absent or reduced allergenicity associated with latex derived from trees. Allergic contact dermatitis (Type-IV hypersensitivity reaction) from rubber products has long been recognized, but the rubbery polymer is rarely the sensitizer, rather the additives such as mercaptobenzothiazole and tetramethylthiuram are responsible.
Since 1979, many cases of immediate hypersensitivity (Type I) to natural latex rubber have been reported, including asthma, hives, and even death. The small amount of proteins and other natural tree products remaining in natural latex rubber are believed to be responsible.
Therefore, hypo-allergenic condoms and other products would be advantageous to those who might be allergic to conventional latex rubber. It is also advantageous that condoms have a snug fit during sexual activity, yet be easy to don before they are used for their intended purpose.
Condoms may also be used for non-sexual activities. For example, a condom may be combined with tubing in the manufacture and use of a condom-catheter in medical or home settings. In that case, it is also desirable that the condom be easy to don, yet have a snug fit when used as a condom-catheter. The induced adherence of the condom to the penis (due to its snug fit) could be far more comfortable and less traumatic to the skin of the penis than conventional designs (utilizing adhesives. etc.).
There are other applications for the use of items made of rubbery material that provide a snug or tight fit for the wearer or an instrument to be covered, and yet are easy to don. Examples are products that cover the tips or ends of a variety of objects and instruments, such as the transducer tip of an ultrasound machine's probe, gloves, finger cots, and oral-dental dams, to name just a few. With regard to gloves, medical and industrial gloves are likely to be preferred if they shrink to fit each user's hand, and perhaps even each portion of the hand, individually. This personalized fit may serve to encourage workers to use gloves as protection more often. Also, hypo-allergenic gloves would be advantageous to those users who may be allergic to conventional latex rubber.
There is thus a need for condoms, gloves, catheters, and other rubber items that are easy to don yet provide a snug fit when used for their intended purposes, and/or are hypo-allergenic.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention comprises rubbery material having a transition temperature that shrinks from a second shape and size toward a first (or original) shape and size upon application of energy equivalent in result to raising the temperature of the rubbery material above the transition temperature. The rubbery material may have a transition temperature in the range of 94 to 99 degrees Fahrenheit and be used in a condom. The rubbery material may also be used in a hand glove, a condom-catheter, and other similar items in which shrinkage is desired so that the item is easy to don or apply, yet shrinks to a snug fit.
A method for the manufacture and use of rubbery material having a transition temperature may comprise the following steps of: (i) manufacturing the rubbery material to a first shape and size which is cross-linked; (ii) after performing step (i), applying energy to the rubbery material, where the application of energy is equivalent in result to raising the rubbery material's temperature to at least the transition temperature; (iii) after performing step (i), stretching the rubbery material to a second shape and size; wherein steps (ii) and (iii) are performed in such a way that the rubbery material is in a state in which it is both in the second shape and size and its effective temperature is at least the transition temperature; and (iv) after steps (ii) and (iii) have been performed, reducing the effective temperature of the rubbery material below the transition temperature while the rubbery material is kept in the second shape and size, so that the rubbery material remains in the second shape and size, until subsequent application of energy to the rubbery material equivalent in result to raising its temperature to at least the transition temperature, whereupon the rubbery material shrinks from the second shape and size toward the first shape and size.
The above method may further comprise the step of applying energy to the rubbery material so that it shrinks from the second shape and size toward the first shape and size.
The rubbery material may comprise polybutadiene and its copolymers, polyurethane elastomers and their copolymers, trans pentenamer and its copolymers, ethylene pimelate and its copolymers, trans-1,4-polybutadiene and its copolymers, synthetic isoprene and its copolymers, or synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene and its copolymers.
Another embodiment of the invention comprises hypo-allergenic rubbery material. The rubbery material can be selected from the group consisting of polybutadiene and its copolymers, trans-1,4-polybutadiene and its copolymers, synthetic isoprene and its copolymers, and synthetic cis-1,4-polyisoprene and its copolymers. Such rubbery material can find uses in gloves, oral-dental dams, stretchy-bandages, baby-bottle nipples, pacifiers, catheters, tourniquets, dentist drains, injection ports for intravenous lines and catheters, and articles of clothing.
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paten
Cohen Robert E.
Munn Charles S.
Dye Rena L.
Kriegsman & Kriegsman
Munn Charles S.
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