US3169894A - Method of producing a rimmed diaphragm - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1965 E. MONETT 3,159,394

METHOD OF PRODUCING A RIMMED DIAPHRAGM Filed May 28, 1962 I I L? INVENTOR. fDW/IRD M0NT 3,169,894 Patented Feb. 16, 196

This invention constitutes a continuation-in-part of my prior application Serial Number 177,892, filed March 6,

1962, and, insofar as producing a device known as a pessary is concerned, the present showing is by way of production of devices of this type and kind in illustrating at least one adaptation and use of my invention and, in reference, in the following specification, to a dome body portion, it will be understood that here this term will be descriptive of any type and kind of flexible wall reinforcing This invention relates to diaphragms having reinforcing rimmed portions, comprising a coil spring with one or more rod-like cores disposed within the spring and wherein the body portion of the diaphragm is generally domeshaped in form. More particularly, the invention deals with a device of this type and kind, sometimes referred to as a pessary, prescribed by physicians in the practice of birth control and, wherein, the devices are made of numerous diameters controlled by the rimmed portion of the device.

Still more particularly, the invention deals with a novel method of producing devices of the character defined which result in production of a high percentage output as compared with old methods.

The novel features of the invention will be best understood from the following description, when taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which certain embodiments of the invention are disclosed and, in which, the separate parts are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a device made according to my invention, indicating diagrammatically the arrangement of rods in the rim portion of the device in dotted lines.

FIG. 2 is a side view, looking generally in the direction of the arrow 2 of FIG. 3', showing the device in one flexed position in full lines and in a reverse flexed position in dotted lines, the dotted line showing being only of the rim of the device.

FIG. 3 is a view looking generally in the direction of the arrow 3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, generally similar to FIG. 5, diagrammatically illustrating the position of the parts at the completion of the first molding step in production of the device and showing only a small part of the dome body portion.

FIG. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of FIG. 1 on an enlarged scale, diagrammatically illustrating the finished device, or the final steps in producing such device and illustrating a greater portion of the dome.

FIG. 6 is a detailed view showing a portion of the'spring only of the rim in section on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4 and illustrating one end of one of the rods inserted in the spring and diagrammatically illustrating a method of retaining the rod against movement in the spring; and

FIG. 7 is a detailed section on the line 7- -7 of FIG. 5 taken at one terminal end of one of the rods arranged within the spring and illustrating diagrammatically the rim enveloping the spring in section.

In the construction of devices generally of the type and kind under consideration, extreme problems have existed over a period of many years in successfully producing particularly the reinforcing or rim portions of the devices with any practical output. In other words, with known methods, a large majority of the products have been discarded, due to flaws in the products and, particularly, in the rimmed portions thereof. By virtue of these experiences, devices of the kind under consideration'have necessarily been sold at high prices and this can be obviated by production of devices of the kind in question in accordance with the method more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, the device comprises a dome or receptacle body portion 10, having a rim 11. In the initial formation of the rim, a rim portion, as at 11', is formed as noted in FIG. 4 and arranged within the rim portion is a continuous coil spring 12 of predetermined diameter. The diameters of the springs vary in producing devices of various sizes. Considering FIGS. 1 to 3, inclusive, it will appear that two curved or arch pin sections 13 are arranged in the coils of the spring 12 in an opposed relationship to each other. Ends 14 of these sections are spaced to form flexible rim sections 15, in which the springs 12 only are arranged. The pins forming the sections 13 can be formed from any suitable hardened rods definitely shaped to conform to the diameter contour of the spring 12 employed and to maintain this contour in rigid state and it is preferred that, with some types of rods,

the surfaces of these rods be chrome plated. 7

By virtue of the pin sections 13, the resulting device can be flexed in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing and, in this figure, one flexure is indicated in full lines and the rim portions of the other possibue fiexure is indicated in dotted lines. In FIG. 2, the contour of the dome portion in the flexed position of the device is diagrammatically illustrated at 10'. However, this dome portion may take any irregular contour in the fiexure of the device. In the showing of the device in FIG. 3, no attempt is made to illustrate the irregular contour of the dome portion in, out this view diagrammatically illustrates the positioning of the rod sections 13 in substantially parallel relationship to each other. This position of the device is had by applying pressure to sides of the pin sections 13 by the fingers of a hand along the line 55 of FIG. 1 in the operation of inserting the device in position for use. In the flexed position of the device, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sections 15 assume the curved position, as diagrammatically illustrated.

In production of the device in accordance with the method as disclosed in my application hereinbefore identified, the general molding procedures are followed, as

well as the rotation of the spring rim in moving the rimfrom the position at 11 in FIG. 4 to the position in FIG. 5 and this method of procedure with the method of construction is substantially as follows.

In the present method of producing a device as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, the springs, for use in forming the rims for the device and in different diameters as stated above, will have inserted in the coils of the spring at least two pin sections positioned in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawing. The pin sections will be-preferably made of a diameter to snugly or frictionally engage the inside diameter of the coils of the spring 12 and to be definitely positioned and held in the spring one with relation to each eaeaeoa other as shown in FIG. 1. However, in some instances, it-

tratethe coil spring with the pin or rod sections 13 therein and used in producing the resulting device.

These springs 12 with pin or rod sections 13 properly positioned therein are placed in suitable dies for molding .the dome or other body portion lit and the rim 11 around the spring, including thesections 13 therein; This moldingoperation' can be performed by the use of any type or kind of material, such as a crude rubber compound,

synthetic rubber compound, plastic compound, Hypolynl compound, silicon rubber compound or. the like and, by way of illustration of one adaptation and use of carrying my method into eifect in producing the resulting end product, reference will be made to silicon rubber compounds and adhesives or solvents'such, for example, as silicon rubber cements used in connection therewith.

In the initial molding operation, the'molding compound encircles the spring rim, as diagrammatically indicated at 17 in FIG. 4 of the drawing, with a relatively thin layer or covering of. the material around the spring, except where this covering joins the straight wall portion 18 at the base of the dome it), namely at 19.

In carrying out the above method, it will be understood that a measured quantity of compound employed is placed in the dies, so as to fully form the workpiece, as noted in FIG. 4 of the drawing, leaving a minimum amount of flare on the parting line of the dies. The molding operation is conducted under high pressures and at temperatures required to form the resulting molded workpiece, it being understood that the temperatures will vary, depending upon the particular compound employed. The workpiece is then cured in accordance with known practices; whereupon, the final steps of producing the resulting end prodnot are carried out substantially as follows.

The cured workpiece is then suitably trimmed and placed on a mandrel conforming to the dome portion and the wallportion18, as shown in FIG. 4; whereupon, the rim, as at 11', including thespring 12 is rolled upwardly along the wall or rim facing portion 18 completing substantially one revolution of the spring 12 in applying the facing portion to the rim. The parts will then be brought into the position shown in FIG. 5. In this operation, the spring 12 rotates around the pin sections 13. As a result of this operation, a more or less V-shaped annular. groove 20 is formed between part of the wall -portion18 and the rolled rim 11.

The. next step in the operation is to fill the groove 20 by a spray or other injection to form a fillet 21 of the cement referred to in a plastic state, which will be wiped to form a clear fillet portion; whereupon, the device is placed upon a siutable conveyor, at least part of which is agitated vertically to cause the cement to thoroughly fill the lower contracted portion of the grove 20; whereupon,

the cement fillet 21 is allowed to set for the required period of time and, in this setting, the cement fillet 21 unites with all engaged surfaces of 11 and 18 in the manner of a weld, securely retaining the parts against any possible separation and the fillet 21 will preferably be of a color consistent'with the color of the dome ltland.

rim 11 which, in the use of silicon, will be white. Upon completion of these operations, the resulting end product is formed. In the use of certainsilicon rubber compounds, the dome portion will maintain its rounded con-,

tour at all times when the device'is in the extended position, as shown in FIG. 1 and, in part, in FIG. 5.

As previously stated, in some instances, the frictional engagement of the pin sections 13 with the springs will be suificient to maintain these sections in'the pre-set positions, as shown in PEG. 1, and it will be understood that, in the molding operation, the compound between the terminal ends 14 of the sections 13 will, in itself, maintain the sections at all times in proper relationship to each other and this is diagrammatically illustrated by the compound of 15 at 22 in the showing of FIG. 7 of the drawing. It will, thus, be apparent that, in the fiexure of the device, as shown in FIGS'Z and 3 of. the drawing, there Will be no shifting of the sections 13 in the rim portion of the device; As and when the retaining elements, such as 16 in FIG. would simply be. enveloped by the rim portion of the compound used but, when these elements are composed of silicon rubber cement, the elements will become an integral part of the compound portion of the resulting rim 11 which is formed. In this connection, noting FIG. 5 of the drawing, lines have been shown in this section to clearly illustrate arrangement of the layers one upon the other and general contour of the fillet portion 21, which is shown in different section, notwithstanding the fact that it becomes integralwith the rim and body portion.

While one adaptation and use of my invention has been referred to above, it will be apparent that devices of any shape and contour can be formed, including the reinforcmg rim portion and, as and when sections, such as the sections 13, are employed, these sections can be referred to as relatively movable sections. In the type of device disclosed, the portions of the .rim, including the sections 13, may be referred to as relatively rigid portions, which enable the device to be flexed, in the manner diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 of the drawing.

For purposes of description, the various compounds that may be used in producing the device may be generally said to comprise a flexible material or a flexible extensible material. With devices of the type and kind herein illustrated, extensibility is sometimes required. However, withother types of devices, extensibility would be undesirable and the compounds employed can control and regulate the production of the desired endresult or characteristics in the body portion of the device.

. Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The method'of producing devices of the character described, which comprises first definitely positioning hardened pin sections in spaced opposed relationship to eachuother in the coils of a circular spring utilized in forming part of a circular rim of a resulting device, moldmg a body portion of the device of a rubber compound together with an integral rim joining the body portion in afaomg portion, the rim enveloping said spring and the pin sections therein in forming a workpiece, curing the compound of said workpiece, trimming theworkpiece, then rolling the rim to encircle the facing portion thereon, sec iring the faced rim to the body portion by a cement n rorrning a fillet between the faced rim and body portion in production of the resulting end product, applying the cement to a groove formed between the rim and the body portlon of the device, evenly distributing the cement in said groove, and agitating the=device during part of the setting operation ofthe cement.

2. The method of producing devices of the character described, which comprises molding a workpiece of extensible material, said workpiece comprising a dome portion, a circular rimintegral with the dome portion and formed about a circular coil spring having spaced curved rod sections arranged in opposed relation in'the coil of said springand with the dome portion joining the rim in a rim facing portion, then curving and trimming the WOI'lG piece, thenplacing-the workpiece on a mandrel, then rotating the rim and said spring to envelop the rim with said facing portion, rotating said spring around said spaced rod sections in the rotation of said rim, then applying an annular cement fillet between part of the facing portion of the rim and said dome portion in integrally joining 6 of the drawing, are employed, these elements and fixing the rim on the dome portion, and setting said 2,475,071 7/49 Young 128-127 fillet in producing the resulting end product. 2,668,329 2/54 Landau 1859 2,823,669 2/58 Kunnas 128127 References Cited by the Examiner 2,916,035 12/59 Jones 128-127 UNITED STATES PATENTS 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,042,539 12/ 35 Schmid 128-1 7 735,692 8/55 Great Britain. 2,101,255 12/37 Hay 1859 2 423 35 7 47 Waterbury 12 127 RICHARD A, GAUDET: Primary Exammer- 2,427,305 9/47 Sander et a1. 156185 JORDAN FRANKLIN, RICHARD J. HOFFMAN,

2,443,943 6/48 Young 128127 10 Examiners.

Claims (1)

1. THE METHOD OF PRODUCING DEVICES OF THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED, WHICH COMPRISES FIRST DEFINITELY POSITIONING HARDENED PIN SECTIONS IN SPACED OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO EACH OTHER IN THE COILS OF A CIRCULAR SPRING UTILIZED IN FORMING PART OF A CIRCULAR RIM OF A RESULTING DEVICE, MOLDING A BODY PORTION OF THE DEVICE OF A RUBBER COMPOUND TOGETHER WITH AN INTEGRAL RIM JOINING THE BODY PORTION IN A FACING PORTION, THE RIM ENVELOPING SAID SPRING AND THE PIN SECTION THEREIN FORMING A WORKPIECE, CURING THE COMPOUND OF SAID WORKPIECE, TRIMMING THE WORKPIECE, THEN ROLLING THE RIM TO ENCIRCLE THE FACING PORTION THEREON, SECURING THE FACED RIM TO THE BODY PORTION BY ACEMENT IN FORMING A FILLET BETWEEN THE FACED RIM AND BODY PORTION IN PRODUCTION OF THE RESULTING END PRODUCT, APPLYING THE CEMENT TO A GROOVE FORMED BETWEEN THE RIM AND THE BODY PORTION OF THE DEVICE, EVENLY DISTRIBUTING THE CEMENT IN SAID GROOVE, AND AGITATING THE DEVICE DURING PART OF THE SETTING OPERATION OF THE CEMENT.

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