Dipping Form Per Se Patents (Class 425/275)
  • Patent number: 9655720
    Abstract: A polymeric valve which may include a heart valve, and also may include a trileaflet heart valve includes a stent having a base and a plurality of outwardly extending posts from the base and equidistant from each other. A plurality of leaflets each connected to a corresponding one of the posts at one end, and each of the leaflets connected to the base. Each of the leaflets having an operative end opposite the end connected to the post, and the operative ends of the leaflets being biased in a closed position such that the operative ends abut each other. The operative ends are configured to rhythmically open and close in relation to each other, and the leaflets include multiple cross sectional thicknesses at different portions of the leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignees: The Research Foundation for The State University of New York, The Arizona Board of Regents on Behalf of the University of Arizona
    Inventors: Danny Bluestein, Thomas E. Claiborne, Marvin J. Slepian
  • Patent number: 8597012
    Abstract: An automated mandrel dip coating process assembly for RTV silicone dispersions is described, including an enclosure adapted to hold a moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium for mandrel dip molding and at least one mandrel having a surface for contacting the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium. An automated motive drive assembly is arranged to removably translate one or more of the mandrel(s) into contact with the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium in the enclosure, and to subsequently translate at least one mandrel contacted with the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium into at least one of (A) contact with a bubble crusher in the enclosure, and (B) disengagement from the moisture-cure ambient temperature curable medium in the enclosure and rotation of the mandrel at a vertical displacement angle of from 70° to 110°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Polyzen, Inc.
    Inventors: Tilak M. Shah, Medhadakshina Murty Peri
  • Publication number: 20130281912
    Abstract: A substantially biodegradable and water soluble tampon applicator comprising: a plunger and a barrel, said plunger being of a predetermined length, and having a first end and a second end, said second end being a predetermined distance from said first end, said plunger being substantially cylindrical in shape and having a first diameter at said first end and a second diameter at said second end, wherein said first diameter tapers downwards to said second diameter, proximate said first end, said plunger further comprises a first mating portion, said barrel having a first end and a second end, said second end being a predetermined distance from said first end, said barrel being substantially cylindrical in shape and having a diameter greater than the first diameter of said plunger, proximate said first end of said barrel, there is provided a second mating portion to matingly engage said first mating portion of said plunger to maintain said plunger in relation to said barrel in a first position, proximate said f
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: John Mikhail
  • Publication number: 20130099418
    Abstract: A multi-piece mold for use in a method for making a slurry distributor includes a plurality of mold segments adapted to be removably secured together. The mold segments are configured such that, when the mold segments are assembled together, the assembled mold segments define a substantially continuous exterior surface adapted to be a negative image of an interior flow region of a slurry distributor molded thereupon. Each mold segment has a maximum cross-sectional area in a plane substantially transverse to a direction of movement of the mold segment along a removal path out of a respective opening of the molded slurry distributor. The maximum cross-sectional area of each mold segment is up to about 150% of the smallest area of the interior flow region of the molded slurry distributor through which the mold segment traverses when moving along the respective removal path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
    Inventor: UNITED STATES GYPSUM COMPANY
  • Publication number: 20130052802
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to substrate molds with variable thermal mass. The disclosure relates to substrate molds comprising refractory materials having a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein the substrate mold has a graded thermal mass comprising a leading edge thermal mass (Mt(lead)) and a trailing edge thermal mass (Mt(trail)), wherein Mt(lead) is less than Mt(trail). The disclosure also relates to methods of making articles of semiconducting material and methods of minimizing total thickness variation in articles of semiconducting material, said methods comprising using the molds disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Glen Bennett Cook, Prantik Mazumder, Balram Suman
  • Publication number: 20120299218
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a substrate mold comprising a shell material having an external surface configured to engage with molten semiconducting material, and an internal surface configured as a thermal transfer surface to transfer heat therethrough, and a core defined within the shell material and configured to remove heat from the shell material through the thermal transfer surface of the shell material. The substrate mold is configured to be immersed into the molten semiconducting material, and the external surface of the shell material is configured to have solidified molten semiconducting material formed thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Glen Bennett Cook, Prantik Mazumder, Balram Suman, Natesan Venkataraman
  • Patent number: 8074652
    Abstract: A method of forming a cannula from a cannula mandrel assembly comprising a pair of mouthpiece/nasal mandrels and a mating facepiece mandrel. The facepiece mandrel has a pair of conical holes, in an intermediate section thereof, for receiving a leading end of one mouthpiece/nasal mandrel. The conical holes allow the facepiece mandrel to slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the conical holes abut with respective mating tapering conical sections and prevent further sliding movement along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels. Following assembly, the assembly is heated, at least one coating of a polymeric material is applied thereto and heat from the assembly at least partially cures the polymeric material on the assembly. Following curing, the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are removed therefrom. Lastly, the facepiece mandrel is removed from the formed cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventors: James N. Curti, Peter W. Salter
  • Patent number: 7565907
    Abstract: A method of forming a cannula from a cannula mandrel assembly comprising a pair of mouthpiece/nasal mandrels and a mating facepiece mandrel. The facepiece mandrel has a pair of conical holes, in an intermediate section thereof, for receiving a leading end of one mouthpiece/nasal mandrel. The conical holes allow the facepiece mandrel to slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the conical holes abut with respective mating tapering conical sections and prevent further sliding movement along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels. Following assembly, the assembly is heated, at least one coating of a polymeric material is applied thereto and heat from the assembly at least partially cures the polymeric material on the assembly. Following curing, the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are slide along the mouthpiece/nasal mandrels until the facepiece mandrel and formed cannula are removed therefrom. Lastly, the facepiece mandrel is removed from the formed cannula.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventors: James N. Curti, Peter W. Salter
  • Patent number: 7337780
    Abstract: A cannula comprising a main body which defines an internal chamber therein. A first and second nasal prongs, respectively, communicate with the internal chamber to define first and second nasal prong passages. A mouthpiece has a gas passageway and a retainer passageway and a first end of the gas passageway communicates with the internal chamber while a second free end of the mouthpiece has a gas opening therein. A shape retaining member is received within the retainer passageway to facilitate retaining an adjusted position of an opening of the gas passageway with respect to a remainder of the cannula. A method of forming the cannula is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventors: James N. Curti, Peter W. Salter
  • Patent number: 7322813
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Applicont, LLC
    Inventor: Sergey Kruss
  • Patent number: 6953332
    Abstract: Improved dip coating methods and mandrels for forming polymer leaflets and valve prostheses generally involve one or more features on the mandrel that facilitate the processing. The mandrel has a top surface and an outer surface comprising a plurality of ridges and contoured surfaces extending to the ridges. An edge on the mandrel separates the top surface and the contoured surfaces, with the mandrel edge corresponding to the free edge of the leaflet. In preferred embodiments, the edge separating the top surface from the contoured surfaces is sharp. The polymer formed on the top surface can be efficiently separated from the remaining portions of the polymer structure to form the free edges of the leaflets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Kurk, Chad Q. Cai, Steven D. Kruse, Yi-Ren Woo
  • Patent number: 6830445
    Abstract: A method of forming a cannula by forming a cannula mandrel assembly having a nare mandrel, a main body mandrel and mouthpiece mandrel; heating the cannula mandrel assembly, applying a polymeric material to the cannula mandrel assembly to provide a desired material thickness on the mandrel assembly to form the cannula, curing the polymeric material of the formed cannula and extracting the mandrel assembly from the cannula by disassembly and removal of the mandrel assembly parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventor: James N. Curti
  • Patent number: 6533984
    Abstract: A method of forming a cannula by forming a cannula mandrel assembly having a nare mandrel, a main body mandrel and mouthpiece mandrel; heating the cannula mandrel assembly, applying a polymeric material to the cannula mandrel assembly to provide a desired material thickness on the mandrel assembly to form the cannula, curing the polymeric material of the formed cannula and extracting the mandrel assembly from the cannula by disassembly and removal of the mandrel assembly parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventor: James N. Curti
  • Patent number: 6533983
    Abstract: A method of forming a cannula by forming a cannula mandrel assembly having a nare mandrel, a main body mandrel and mouthpiece mandrel; heating the cannula mandrel assembly, applying a polymeric material to the cannula mandrel assembly to provide a desired material thickness on the mandrel assembly to form the cannula, curing the polymeric material of the formed cannula and extracting the mandrel assembly from the cannula by disassembly and removal of the mandrel assembly parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Salter Labs
    Inventor: James N. Curti
  • Publication number: 20030030183
    Abstract: A method of forming a cannula by forming a cannula mandrel assembly having a nare mandrel, a main body mandrel and mouthpiece mandrel; heating the cannula mandrel assembly, applying a polymeric material to the cannula mandrel assembly to provide a desired material thickness on the mandrel assembly to form the cannula, curing the polymeric material of the formed cannula and extracting the mandrel assembly from the cannula by disassembly and removal of the mandrel assembly parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: James N. Curti
  • Patent number: 6344163
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided including an endless conveyor and a plurality of elongated mold elements are mounted from the conveyor and project laterally outwardly of the latter. The apparatus defines coating, heating, and cooling stations through which the mold elements are successively moved and the coating station includes structure whereby the outer end portions of the mold elements may be coated with plastisol. The heating station includes structure by which the mold elements, with the plastisol coating thereon, may be exteriorly and interiorly heated to the cure temperature of the plastisol, the cooling station includes structure for externally and internally cooling the mold elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Inventor: Louis S. Ashley
  • Patent number: 6299817
    Abstract: A process which allows elastomeric materials of different colors, durometers and/or other material characteristics to chemically bond to one another so as to eliminate any possibility of delamination. Latex-based liquid elastomer solutions having different material characteristics are applied sequentially to a heated mold to form a series of layers making up the article, with rapid partial curing taking place between each application; the partial curing forms a skin coat over each layer which prevents intermixing of the different solutions, but which still permits a chemical bond to form during full curing of the materials. The process applies equally to dip (immersion) molded and flat molded goods. An example of the invention as it relates to flat-molded goods is an athletic shoe sole, and an example as it relates to dip-molded goods is a resilient, one piece watersports boot which can be fitted over a human foot without a zipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventor: Kevin G. Parkinson
  • Patent number: 6273702
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Carter-Wallace, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick P. Sisbarro
  • Patent number: 6126880
    Abstract: A plunger tool for producing a special prophylactic is disclosed. The special features of the plunger tool reside in the special curvatures in its shaped section. The shaped section of the plunger tool exhibits an extreme narrowing, at the deepest point of which there may be at least one annular groove. Unlike prior art transitions, the transition from the large diameter to the reservoir section is not steep and straight but takes the form of an S-shaped curve. An exact contour of the annular grooves on the surface of the plunger tool is essential for their production and can be done only by the use of a precision diamond abrasive point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Innovation & Art GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Scholl
  • Patent number: 6030201
    Abstract: A process and a device for producing a thin-walled prophylactic, which is manufactured in a plurality of immersion stages, is disclosed. The device includes an endless conveyer belt on which an elongated cylindrical immersion tool is mounted. The process substantially consists of three immersion stages and three different immersion tubs, whereby the depths of immersion of the immersion tools substantially deviate from each other. After each immersion stage, a predetermined heat treatment of the elastic material applied to the immersion tool is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Inventor: Thomas Scholl
  • Patent number: 6015513
    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 a vacuum is applied through the spindle to the aperture of the tip of the form, so as to draw lipstick wax material therefrom and into the interior of the spindle. The form is allowed to cool so as to solidify the wax, and thereafter is fitted with a cover, removed, and suitably packaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Charles Chang
    Inventors: Robert J. Sheffler, Charles Chang
  • Patent number: 5922365
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming enclosed loops in plastic parts using a mandrel-dip method. A mandrel is formed with a loop attached to the mandrel at one end, but separated from the mandrel at the other end by a gap. The process for forming the plastic part with an enclosed loop includes heating and dipping the mandrel into a vat containing a plastic or other resin and allowing the resin to bridge the gap in the loop. Once the resin cures, the mandrel is removed from the resin by injecting air into the plastic part between the mandrel and the plastic part. By doing so, the mandrel easily separates from the plastic part without needing to cut the mandrel or the plastic part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Inventor: Patrick Ernest Reichner
  • Patent number: 5833911
    Abstract: A method for forming a glove in an elastomer deposition process employs a folded glove form. The form has a hand forming portion having palm and finger forming portions. The finger forming portions terminate in distal tips and the cuff forming portion terminates in a terminal end for forming the cuff opening. The form is folded so that finger forming portion distal tips and the cuff forming portion terminal end lie in separate planes and in facing relationship to one another. To form the glove, the form is vertically oriented and dipped into a bath of elastomer with both the cuff forming portion terminal end and the finger portion distal tips facing upwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Francisco Moises Llort, Mao-Ching Chen, Leslie Edward Blackford
  • Patent number: 5785905
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Charles Chang
    Inventors: Robert J. Sheffler, Charles Chang
  • Patent number: 5756036
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules use an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition and use capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The method involves heating the pins, dipping the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, removing the pins and drying the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and capsule caps. Pins are heated pre-dip and post-dip to facilitate gelating. Counterflow air is applied to provide drying from the inside. Capsule parts are removed by gripping. Capsule parts may have a thick wall and a stiffening ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: GS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph R. Grosswald, Jeffory B. Anderson, Clair S. Andrew
  • Patent number: 5750157
    Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing pharmaceutical capsules uses an aqueous solution of a thermogelling cellulose ether composition, and uses capsule body pins and capsule cap pins as molds. The apparatus heats the pins, dips the pins into the solution to cause the solution to gelatinize on the surface of the pins, and dries the gelatinized solution on the surface of the pins to form capsule bodies and caps. The apparatus provides differential heating and supplemental heating of the pins before dipping, and directed radiant heating after dipping. The apparatus provides counterflow air for drying. The apparatus removes parts from pins by gripping. The pins are smaller than pins used to make gelatin capsules of the same size number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1998
    Assignee: GS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph R. Grosswald, Jeffory B. Anderson, Clair S. Andrew
  • Patent number: 5667822
    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 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignees: Sohzohkagaku Co., Ltd., Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hayashi, Yoshiaki Tatsumi, Kinya Miyashita
  • Patent number: 5595704
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignees: Sohzohkagaku Co., Ltd., Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Hayashi, Yoshiaki Tatsumi, Kinya Miyashita
  • Patent number: 5500957
    Abstract: An improved surgical glove is provided having reinforcing pads formed over the distal finger and thumb pulps and over the metacarpal-phalangeal joints. The fingertips and thumb tips are the most likely region of a surgical glove to be accidentally penetrated by a needle during a surgical procedure. The remaining portions of the surgical glove are of conventional thickness and flexibility, thereby assuring adequate mobility of the fingers and hand, such that precise surgical procedures may be performed while using the improved glove. A method for forming the glove and a glove mold are also disclosed. The glove is formed by dipping a glove mold in a liquid such as latex. The glove mold has recesses on volar sides of distal ends of the digits to retain a greater thickness of the liquid to form the reinforcing pads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Inventor: Daniel T. Stein
  • Patent number: 5431865
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for trimming a contoured non-round workpiece includes a torch for flame treating or trimming the workpiece by impinging a flame on the workpiece, a holding member for supporting the workpiece, the holding member being rotatably mounted relative to the torch, and a control member for cooperating the holding member with the torch so that the torch follows the contour of the workpiece when the holding member is rotated relative to the torch. The control member generates an electronic image of the workpiece and guides the torch along the contour of the workpiece in accordance with the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: The Plastic Forming Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Willoughby M. Quin
  • Patent number: 5380182
    Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a flexible, heat resistant mold member. The mold member is useful in molding processes such as dip or slush molding. The mold member maintains its structural integrity and may therefore be used as an insert in the article being molded to provide flexible stability at specific locations within the article. The mold member is made of a material which is substantially non-reactive with the molded article. The molded article may be any article made from a plastisol such as a binaural for a stethoscope having single or double lumens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Packard, James H. Quackenbush
  • Patent number: 5323544
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for drying and curing a liquid film applied to a former which is reactive to radio frequency energy so as to generate heat. A liquid film, such as latex, is applied to a metallic former which is then disposed in the proximity of an applicator which propagates radio frequency energy. In response, by a process of induction the former generates heat and thereby advantageously dries said film in an inside-to-outside manner. A superior product is produced which is substantially free of defects and blemishes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Ansell Incorporated
    Inventor: John H. Osgood
  • Patent number: 5314653
    Abstract: A uniformly expandable mold is formed with a continuous surface defining a three-dimensional pattern for replicating an article. The relative pressure between the inside of the mold and the outside controls the area of the surface to change the size of the three-dimensional pattern without distorting the relative dimensional relationship of the component segments forming the pattern whereby material may be deposited on the mold surface with the mold expanded to a desired size. The pressure differential is increased to increase the size of the mold and stretch the layer already deposited thereon. A second, dissimilar layer is bonded to the first layer while it is streched When the article is removed from the mold, a state of relative expansive/compressive tension is created at the bond interface between the first and second layers which forces the material of one layer to enter voids in the other layer to seal defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Harold Gell, P.C.
    Inventor: Constantine Haralambopoulos
  • Patent number: 5304337
    Abstract: A glove configuration and method for making same of a thin flexible film is shown. The glove and form having an ambidextrous shape useful for either the left or right hand use and a cuff configuration which resists rolldown. The configuration of the cuff includes a corrugated portion and a broadly fluted portion. The former giving increased strength and thickness and the latter providing a place to improve the ease with which the glove may be stripped from its dipping form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Fung-Bor Chen, Wu-Nan Huang, Carl M. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5229061
    Abstract: A mold for use in producing a hollow tube component for a dispensing applicator. The mold has a main body portion that defines a forward end from which extends a sloped shoulder portion, a neck portion, and a stem element. Between the stem element and the neck portion, there is a provided a re-entrant surface which forms a sharp edge and an angle with respect to the outer, main surface of the neck portion. The mold is used in a dip-molding process for producing a dispensing container that has a frangible portion that is broken away during first use, which frangible portion is formed by the re-entrant surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Gam-Med Packaging Corporation
    Inventors: Darrell W. Van Dyke, John P. Rowe
  • Patent number: 5133923
    Abstract: A latex container, and associated former and method for producing, for use as a leg bag by urinary incontinent males. The latex leg bag is provided with strap holders that are integrally formed simultaneously with the leg bag structure to provide a more structurally reliable strap holder. The strap holder includes a nodal growth of latex, simultaneously grown during the a latex coagulation process, that bridges an interstice on the former to close the strap holder loop. The leg bag container is provided having a skewed entry neck for facilitating better dressing of the delivery tube during use, and a concave shape to better conform to the user's leg. The former is machined with corresponding structure to form the leg bag in a latex coagulation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1992
    Assignee: Sierra Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: K. Robert P. Klug
  • Patent number: 5116551
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an article, by covering at least a portion of a microwave heatable former with a liquid-containing material, applying microwave radiation to heat the former so as to leave a dry solid coating on the former, and effecting relative separation between the former and the dry solid coating so as to produce the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Inventors: Roderick I. Davidson, Peter R. Hornsby
  • Patent number: 5065913
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1991
    Inventor: Thomas H. Glasener
  • Patent number: 4992037
    Abstract: A mold used to form a latex lid for covering a beverage cup includes a body having a top forming face and a side forming face extending around and turning downward from the top forming face, a stubby projection which has a rounded surface, provided on the top forming face, a shallow recessed fink provided in the top forming face around the stubbing projection. In forming the latex lid, the stubby projection creates a thinned area in the latex lid which facilitates the insertion of a straw, and the shallow recessed sink provides a thickened reinforcing ring around the thinned area. A blind hole may be provided in the stubby projection to create an internal bursting force which can produce a hole in the thinned area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: BJL Industry (M) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventor: Wei-Chao Hwang
  • Patent number: 4943225
    Abstract: A one-piece mandrel for making elastomeric articles by a dipping process has a one-piece body which includes at least one opening extending therethrough. A split extends from the opening through a cross-section of the one-piece body. At least a portion of the body adjacent the split is formed of an elastically resilient material to allow the split to open for removal of the elastomeric article after formation, and to cause the split to self-close after removal of the article from the mandrel. Closure of the split forms a substantially continuous molding surface in the immediate vicinity of the split. Proper alignment of the mating surfaces of the split is assured by irregular (non-linear) design of the split surfaces, or by use of an alignment element embedded in the mandrel. An especially advantageous material for forming the mandrel of the present invention is a silicon rubber molding compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
  • Patent number: 4913642
    Abstract: Blood flow in the aorta and pulmonary artery of a mammal, most typically a human, is measured volumetrically by a non-invasive, ultrasound apparatus. The apparatus (10) includes a tracheal tube or probe with of flexible tubing (11) having a transducer assembly (21) mounted at one end the tube. The transducer assembly (21) is disposed to transmit ultrasound in selected directions. Electrical conductors (24) extend the length of the probe from the transducer assembly. Improved means is provided to positively locate the probe in the trachea and to urge the ultrasound transducer assembly (21) into intimate contact with the inner wall of the trachea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Assignee: Applied Biometrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Roland E. Weber
  • Patent number: 4834927
    Abstract: On the basis of a hollow die including over-shell and a cap drawn onto a proximal connector of the die, an ear impression is produced directly in the auditory canal that is filled with ear impression material. Displaced ear impression material thereby flows through a channel in the cap into the hollow interior of the die. A negative is produced from the ear impression together with a screwed-on fixing star, this negative containing impressions of the points of the fixing star. After injection of otoplastic material and repositioning of a fixing star with a die, over-shell and cap into the fixing depressions, a finished otoplastic shell can then be produced from the negative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Birkholz, Christof Haertl, Peter Nassler
  • Patent number: 4809365
    Abstract: Disclosed is a glove configuration and method for making same of a thin flexible film. The glove and form having an ambidextrous shape useful for either the left or right hand use and a cuff configuration which resists rolldown. The configuration of the cuff includes a corrugated portion and a broadly fluted portion. The former giving increased strength and thickness and the latter providing a place to improve the ease with which the glove may be stripped from its dipping form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: Fung-Bor Chen, Wu-Nan Huang, Carl M. Rogers
  • Patent number: 4797081
    Abstract: A one-piece mandrel for making elastomeric articles by a dipping process has a one-piece body which includes at least one opening extending therethrough. A split extends from the opening through a cross-section of the one-piece body. At least a portion of the body adjacent the split is formed of an elastically resilient material to allow the split to open for removal of the elastomeric article after formation, and to cause the split to self-close after removal of the article from the mandrel. Closure of the split forms a substantially continuous molding surface in the immediately vicinity of the split. Proper alignment of the mating surfaces of the split is assured by irregular (non-planar) design of the split surfaces, or by use of an alignment element embedded in the mandrel. In embodiments where a ferro-magnetic alignment element is used, a separate magnetized element may also be embedded in the mandrel to assist in holding the split closed during the dipping process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Ronald E. Prater
  • Patent number: 4758149
    Abstract: A metal pin for forming gelatine capsules, having a work-hardened surface including a circumferential groove, even the surface defining the groove being work-hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Sauter Manufacturing Co.
    Inventor: Erich W. Sauter
  • Patent number: 4695241
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Sinclair and Rush, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph J. Ventimiglia
  • Patent number: 4627808
    Abstract: A hard capsule making apparatus consisting of cleft dipping pins, encircling stripping rings, and rotation discs having parallel grooved retainer bars, to provide a means for making and stripping novel integrally formed multiple chamber hard capsules, and a means for making and stripping novel multiple chamber hard capsules made by combining separate hard capsules of different sizes to form a single unit, fixed capsule within a capsule vehicle. The multiple chamber capsules are made of methylcellulose, gel, or other appropriate material, providing a clear, transparent, or translucent exterior wall of the body part of the multiple chamber capsule, thus providing an externally visible means for the consumer or user to detect, before use, whether the capsule has been opened after original filling and closure, by means of contrasting visible evidence of reopening, in the form of changed physical appearance of an original substance, or a substituted substance contained in at least one chamber thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Inventor: Raymond J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 4575328
    Abstract: An automatic continuously cycleable molding system wherein a plurality of mold sets are transported in predetermined timed cycles through a series of work stations wherein the various molding, curing and workpiece handling operations are accomplished, and wherein the mold sets are recirculatingly moved through the system for repeated usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1986
    Assignee: ASM Fico Tooling, b.v.
    Inventors: Richardus H. J. Fierkens, Ireneus J. T. M. Pas
  • Patent number: 4501545
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: California Ceramic Supply Co.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Divoky
  • Patent number: 4478770
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of a contact lens, which comprises coating a tool made of an inert material, having a curvature corresponding to that of one of the optical surfaces of the lens to be produced, with a layer of solid polymer, and machining the outer surface of said polymer to the desired curvature of the second surface of said lens while supported by said tool, and to a tool for carrying out such process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1984
    Assignee: Yeda Research and Development Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Vofsi, Shymon Reich, Israel Tchoukran, Joaquin Mayoral