Abstract: A cushioning mat comprises a plurality of cushioning bumps arranged in a plurality of rows, the bumps of each row alternating with substantially flat bottom portions. Each bump comprises a top wall and a side wall which extends from a mat base identified by the bottom portions. The top wall and the side wall define an inner bump cavity. The bumps of adjacent rows are staggered with each other. In at least a portion of the side wall a vent opening is made which places in communication the inner cavity of the bump with the outside of the bump.

Abstract: An animal toy is provided constructed from a latex or natural rubber material and formed into a ball. The ball is formed of an aggregate of particulate material that are bound together to form a substantially non-hollow construction. Pieces of latex are joined together to form balls, and the balls may be pressed together and constructed by hand or, alternatively, pressed into molds. By constructing the balls by hand, no two balls, even balls of similar size, are identical. Each ball has irregular outer surface that forms a variety of resilient protuberances that provide beneficial oral hygiene effects when chewed or rubbed against the teeth.

Abstract: An air mattress system includes an air mattress configured to self-adjust its own pressure, a user terminal receiving a set value or user information from a user and transmitting the set value or the user information to the air mattress, and a server receiving measurement data from the air mattress to analyze a sleep pattern and sleep quality of a user and transmitting the analyzed sleep pattern and sleep quality to the user terminal, wherein the air mattress is configured such that the air mattress is divided into multiple sections and the pressure is adjusted for each section based on the set value or the user information.

Abstract: A system for molding, more specifically demolding, elastomeric breast implant shells is provided. The system generally includes a molding device having a mandrel having a form generally of a breast implant shell and a mandrel rod, couplable to the mandrel. A fluid flow port is provided which is alternately disposable in a concealed position and an exposed position upon rotation of the mandrel rod. When a liquid elastomer coating on the mandrel is cured, the fluid flow port is rotated into the exposed position which allows it to pass air between the cured coating and the molding surface, thereby facilitating disengagement and demolding of the shell from the mandrel.

Abstract: Condoms, condom formers, and methods for forming condoms are disclosed. A condom includes an open end, a closed end, a tubular sheath extending from the open end to the closed end, a tip portion adapted to cover a glans of a penis, disposed adjacent to the closed end, and a plurality of raised features disposed on the tubular sheath, having a top surface area and a base surface area, wherein the total raised top surface area is greater than the total base surface area of the condom.

Abstract: A templated mold comprises a mold body formed from a mold material. The mold body has at least one major surface with a patterned layer formed from a patterning material disposed over the major surface. The patterned layer defines a high nucleation energy barrier surface and a plurality of nucleation surfaces, such that a contact angle of a molten semiconducting material with the nucleation surfaces is less than a contact angle of the molten semiconducting material with the high nucleation energy barrier surface, and the nucleation surfaces are formed from either the mold material or the patterning material.

Abstract: The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacture of flexible moulds is described, in particular for the obtainment of lipsticks or the like, which comprises a female mould including at least one moulding cavity fillable with a plastic fluid, a male mould including at least a male stem and means to insert said male stem into said cavity of the female mould after the same has been filled with said plastic fluid and to extract it from the same after a prefixed cooling period suitable to transform said fluid plastic into a flexible mould.

Abstract: The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.

Abstract: Presented is a method of manufacturing opened at both ends thin walled elastomeric sleeves of complex shapes. The proposed technique employs standard dip molding process but with modifications which enable producing of opened at both ends sleeves right from the drying stage and eliminates the necessity of cutting lower dipped ends subsequently to the dipping process. This technique allows sleeves to be manufactured with rolled beads at both ends. The main benefit of the present invention is a possibility of manufacturing sleeves on existing standard automated and semi-automated dip molding lines, traditionally used for manufacturing elastomeric gloves and condoms. The gist of the invention is a composition of a dipping former with a bottom coated by hydrophobic material such as PTFE. This composition impedes buildup of coagulant and coagulum on the bottom. The loose coagulum layer is removed by means of washing off with directed and appropriately timed sprinklers.

Abstract: A positive displacement extruder for a viscous material, such as unvulcanized rubber, includes a feed member arranged in a chamber of a main body and driven for rotation so that the viscous material charged into the chamber is extruded from its outlet. A mouthpiece has an inlet that is spaced in a circumferential direction from the outlet of the main body and, in communication therewith, an extrusion nozzle. At least one cylinder device is rotatable about a center axis of the extruder so that the cylinder is alternately bought into communication with the outlet of the main body and the inlet of the mouthpiece. The viscous material is charged from the chamber of the main body into the cylinder device and discharged from the cylinder device into the mouthpiece, as the cylinder device is rotated about the center axis of the extruder and the piston of the cylinder device is driven by a cam device to reciprocate in the cylinder.

Abstract: A gelatin capsule is manufactured from a capsule sheath. The sheath is made of a pair of confronting gelatin sheets as starting material. The sheath is then formed integrally like a folder, and the contents of the capsule is enveloped by the capsule sheath. The contents of the capsule is a fine or granular powder. However, time release pellets could also be used. The capsule sheath has a pocket formed for receiving the contents in the gelatin sheets preliminarily before completion of filling with the contents.

Abstract: Prophylactic devices are made in an inert atmosphere by cooling mandrels on which the devices are to be deposited, dipping the mandrels into a polymeric material in a solvent/carrier and a mold release agent, rotating the mandrels during and after the dipping, and evaporating the solvent after dipping. The apparatus includes an air lock between a section in which these functions are performed and a section located in an air atmosphere for removing the devices from the mandrels, followed by cleaning the mandrels for use in a subsequent production run for making devices.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing disposable, single-use lipstick samplers by means of a dipping process. In a preferred form, a reservoir containing molten lipstick wax material is provided, and a spindle which is disposed above the reservoir is advanceable toward and retractable away from the reservoir. A plastic cup-shaped form having an apertured tip is applied to the spindle, which is thereafter advanced so as to submerge the tip of the form into the molten liquid wax material. The spindle and coated form are then removed from the reservoir, and gas pressure applied through the spindle to the aperture of the tip of the form, so as to blow off excess lipstick wax material therefrom. The form is allowed to cool so as to solidify the wax, and thereafter is fitted with a cover, removed, and suitably packaged.

Abstract: A shaping mold for the production of ultra-thin shaped rubber articles, has a main body which is dipped into a latex liquid so as to make the latex adhered to the surface of the main body. The adhered latex is heat-dried to form an ultra-thin shaped rubber article over the surface. The mold is such that at least the surface of its main body is made of an amorphous carbon and that its bottom part is fitted with electrifying electrodes and has therebetween a heating area to be heated by resistance heating due to its electrification. The same shaping mold can be used from its dipping step through the inspecting step of inspecting the shaped article as adhered to the surface of the mold. In the heat-drying step of the method, the shaped article as adhered to the surface of the shaping mold is heated and dried from the inside of the mold with preventing as much as possible formation of pin holes in the shaped article.

Abstract: An elastic mould of this invention includes a pattern and a fixing sheet which is integrally mounted at an open edge of the pattern. The elastic mould is manufactured by dipping a pattern mounted on a plate into an elastic body-producing solution to form a gel-like elastic film, withdrawing, drying and vulcanizing the object thus formed, and peeling the elastic film off the pattern to obtain a mould having a fixing member as an integral part of the mould.

Abstract: A sterilization apparatus comprises a housing provided with an opening through which an object may be inserted, and an ultraviolet radiation generator at least partially inside the housing for irradiating with bacteriocidal radiation an object inserted into the housing through the opening. A liquid spraying mechanism or gas injection mechanism is disposed at least partially inside the housing for applying to the inserted object a sterilizing agent. A coating or cover forming mechanism is also provided at least partially inside the housing for forming on the inserted object a protective covering. A control unit controls the activation of the radiation generator, the sterilizing mechanism and the coating mechanism.

Abstract: A spout has a resilient and flexible tubular body which is produced by dipping a heated mold into polyvinyl chloride to form a coating or layer. The layer is cured within an oven and then cooled and removed from the mold. The spout body includes a base inlet portion which is stretched onto or pressed into the annular threaded neck or outlet portion of a liquid container to retain the body and to form a liquid-tight seal. The internal passage defined by the tubular body is closed by the user pinching the body with his fingers after which the container is inverted, and the pinch is released to control the dispensing of the liquid from the container. Interchangeable hollow tip members are also produced by dip-molding, and each tip member is pressed onto the outlet end portion of the tubular body to form a cap or smaller discharge opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating molds to make hard gelatin capsules has a dish for holding a bath of liquid gelatin. A multi-well tray is submerged in the bath to establish a plurality of fluid passageways through the bath and to create a pool of liquid gelatin in each of the wells. A drive unit, having a pair of counterrotating gears, moves gelatin through the passageways and pools to maintain a substantially uniform gelatin temperature throughout the bath. Capsule molds are periodically submerged into the pools and then withdrawn to manufacture the hard gelatin capsules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for integrally bonding two latex surfaces is disclosed, together with a latex bag having integral loops and/or holding straps which is made by the process. Briefly, a first curing latex surface such as a strip of curing latex, is held against a second curing latex surface such as the curing surface of the bag, so that the two surfaces form an integral bond. Preferably, a few drops of latex are added to the interfacing area prior to bringing the two surfaces into contact.

Abstract: A dip mold for forming a part from plastisol which part has an integral internal member. The dip mold has an internal cavity in its free end to form said internal member and the cavity is vented by a lateral passage to the outside face of the mold to allow air in the cavity to escape and the internal molded part to be formed.

Abstract: A tool for use in a latex dip process for producing a latex skin in a given configuration, the tool being formed by producing an electro-formed female mold from a sculpture of the desired configuration, casting a vinyl skin from the electro-formed female mold, removing the vinyl skin to expose a hollow interior, and stuffing the vinyl skin with a composition of materials, having the characteristics of providing rigidity to the vinyl skin and approximately zero buoyancy in a latex bath.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing elastomer surgical gloves or the like is disclosed. Ordinarily, a glove mold having a handshaped mold member with spaced fingers is dipped into a tank containing a liquid polymer. As the glove mold is slowly withdrawn, polymer latex webs tend to form between the fingers of the mold. In order to prevent the formation of these webs, small objects such as polyethylene balls are moved fairly rapidly along the surface of the polymer. These small objects pass through the spaces between the fingers to prevent the webs from forming.

Abstract: Articles such as balloons, beach balls, and other inflatable items are manufactured by dipping a number of suitably configured forms into a bath of molten latex, leaving the forms in the bath until a desired thickness of latex has been deposited on the forms, withdrawing the forms from the latex and permitting the latex to at least partially dry, and thereafter stripping the latex from the forms. In order to produce globular inflated articles, forms of a generally globular configuration have been used. Certain forms have utilized flutes or other deviations from an entirely globular configuration, but the outermost portions of prior forms used for the manufacture of globular articles are generally spherical. The greatest diametric dimension of the forms has limited the permissible form-to-form spacing. The invention employs a number of spoon-shaped forms each having a convex surface and a concave surface.

Abstract: In the manufacture of a protective glove, there is provided a mold having two parts interconnected to be moved into open and closed positions. There is also provided an inner glove lining, and each part of the mold is covered with it. The mold, in closed position, is dipped in a bath of protective coating material, removed therefrom, and exposed to initial draining of an excess of coating material. Thereafter, the mold is opened and the draining is completed, while portions of the coating material are retained and gelled.