Method of imparting a mono-axial or multiaxial stiffness to extruded materials and products resulting therefrom

Abstract

A method of modifying the stiffness properties of a material by imparting grooves or cross sectional shapes to a surface or multiple surfaces of the material is described. Materials made by this method, and products made with the material, such as nasal dilators, packaging, construction materials and medical devices, are also described.

1 . A method for modifying the flexural properties of a material, comprising imparting a groove having a desired cross sectional shape to the material.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of grooves are imparted to the material.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the groove is imparted to the material by extruding the material.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the material has an initial flexural modulus, and imparting the groove to the material modifies the monoaxial or multiaxial stiffness of the material.  
   
   
       5 . A grooved material made by the method of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       6 . A material having a desired stiffness, comprising a groove along a first direction and on a first surface of the material.  
   
   
       7 . The material of  claim 6 , comprising a plurality of grooves along the first direction of the material.  
   
   
       8 . The material of  claim 6 , further comprising a groove along the first direction on a second surface of the material.  
   
   
       9 . The material of  claim 6 , further comprising a groove along a second direction on a second surface of the material.  
   
   
       10 . The material of  claim 6 , wherein the groove comprises a ridge and a valley.  
   
   
       11 . A nasal dilator comprising the material of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       12 . The nasal dilator of  claim 11 , further comprising an engagement means on the first surface of the material.  
   
   
       13 . The nasal dilator of  claim 11 , wherein the material has a stiffness sufficient to lift a nasal passage.  
   
   
       14 . The nasal dilator of  claim 11 , wherein the groove forms a channel when the first surface of the material engages the skin of a patient, said channel being capable of transmitting a substance to or from an area of the skin that is covered by the nasal dilator, wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a fluid, a gas, an oil, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       15 . The nasal dilator of  claim 11 , comprising a plurality of grooves in the material, each groove comprising a ridge and a valley.  
   
   
       16 . The nasal dilator of  claim 15 , wherein a first ridge of the plurality of grooves has a thickness that is substantially the same as a thickness of a second ridge of the plurality of grooves.  
   
   
       17 . The nasal dilator of  claim 15 , wherein a first ridge of the plurality of grooves has a thickness that is different from a thickness of a second ridge of the plurality of grooves.  
   
   
       18 . The nasal dilator of  claim 15 , wherein the ridge has a thickness of between about 8 mil to about 15 mil, and the valley has a thickness of between about 3 mil to about 10 mil.  
   
   
       19 . A medical support device comprising the material of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       20 . The medical support device of  claim 19 , wherein the groove forms a channel when the first surface of the material engages the skin of a patient, said channel being capable of transmitting a substance to or from an area of the skin that is covered by the medical support device, wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a fluid, a gas, an oil, and a combination thereof.  
   
   
       21 . A flooring product comprising the material of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       22 . A construction sheeting product comprising the material of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       23 . A packaging product comprising the material of  claim 6 .  
   
   
       24 . The packaging product of  claim 23 , wherein the material is capable of being separated in the first direction along a length of the groove.