Claims
- 1. A method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity, comprising:a) forming a tubular member from at least one layer of paper and having an exterior surface, said tubular member capable of holding a substance which is to be inserted into a body cavity; and b) applying to said exterior surface a single layer coating of a compostable material comprising at least 85 percent by weight of a polylactide polymeric material, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer, wherein said coating provides said tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction value ranging from between 0.62 to 0.86.
- 2. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 1, wherein said single layer coating has a uniform thickness of less than about 1 mil.
- 3. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 1, wherein said additives include a nucleating agent comprising adipic acid, an anti-oxidant or stabilizer, a plasticizer, an anti-blocking agent, a slip agent and a water scavenger.
- 4. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 1, said tubular member having an insertion end and flexible petals on said insertion end.
- 5. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 1, said tubular member having an insertion end and paper pleats on said insertion end.
- 6. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 1, said tubular member having an open insertion end.
- 7. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 2, wherein said coating has a uniform thickness which does not vary over plus or minus 15 percent over said exterior surface.
- 8. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 2, wherein said single layer coating has a uniform thickness formed by slot coating.
- 9. A method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity, comprising:a) forming an elongated tubular member from at least two layers of paper, said tubular member having an exterior surface; and b) providing a specific dry coefficient of kinetic friction and a specific wet coefficient of kinetic friction to said tubular member for facilitating insertion of said tubular member into a body cavity, said specific dry coefficient of kinetic friction having a value ranging from between 0.62 to 0.86 and said specific wet coefficient of kinetic friction having a value ranging from between 0.69 to 1.12, by applying to said exterior surface of said tubular member a single layer coating of a compostable material comprising at least 85 percent by weight of polylactide.
- 10. The method of forming an applicator for insertion of a substance into a body cavity as set forth in claim 9, wherein said single layer coating of a compostable material further comprises at least 10 percent by weight of additives and up to about 5 percent of a residual monomer, said additives including a nucleating agent, an anti-oxidant or stabilizer, a plasticizer, an anti-blocking agent, a slip agent and a water scavenger.
Parent Case Info
This patent application is a Division of prior, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/441,228, filed Nov. 15, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,064.
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