Coextruded arc-induced materials

Abstract

A nasal dilator and method of making nasal dilators are provided. The dilator may have a composite base element of at least two regions, the base element having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the base element having a pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed thereon; the base element further including a spring element which imparts return memory into the base element so that the base element returns towards a planar conformation during use. The spring element has elastic memory effected by differential properties in the at least two regions.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing a coextruded polymeric material having a longitudinal length and a longitudinal width, the method comprising:
 a) providing a first polymeric material;   b) providing a second polymeric material; and,   c) coextruding the first polymeric material and the second polymeric material to form a coextruded polymeric material; and,   d) allowing the coextruded polymeric material to cool,
 wherein the first polymeric material and second polymeric material have differing contraction properties when cooled following coextrusion, 
 wherein the first polymeric material, upon cooling, contracts at a greater ration than the second polymeric material, 
 wherein the cooling of the coextruded polymeric material following coextrusion results in the longitudinal length of the coextruded film having curvature in the shape of an arc about the longitudinal width; 
 wherein the arc has a concave side and a convex side; and, 
 wherein the shape of the arc about the longitudinal width is induced by cooperation between the first polymeric material and second polymeric material upon contraction of the first polymeric material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric material or second polymeric material comprises a polyester polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the polyester polymer is polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first material and second material comprise a polyester polymer. 
     
     
         5 . A method of manufacturing a coextruded polymeric material having a longitudinal length and a longitudinal width, the method comprising:
 a) providing a first polymeric material;   b) providing a second polymeric material having a first surface and a second surface;   c) extruding the first polymeric material onto the first surface of the second polymeric material to form a coextruded polymeric material; and,   d) allowing the coextruded polymeric material to cool;
 wherein the first polymeric material and second polymeric material have differing contraction properties when cooled, 
 wherein the first polymeric material, upon cooling, contracts at a greater ratio than the second polymeric material, 
 wherein the cooling of the coextruded polymeric material following extrusion of the first polymeric material results in the longitudinal length of the film having curvature in the shape of an arc about the longitudinal width. 
 wherein the arc has a concave side and a convex side; and, 
 wherein the shape of the arc about the longitudinal width is induced by cooperation between the first polymeric material and second polymeric material upon contraction of the first polymeric material. 
   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first polymeric material or second polymeric material comprises a polyester polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first polyester polymer is polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the first polymeric material and second polymeric material comprise a polyester polymer.