Patent ID: 6096254
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: A45F,A63B,B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
An injection molding method for making a spring-like split tubular device, the method comprising the steps of:(a) selecting a material capable of injection molding, said material having renitent properties when molded;(b) obtaining a mold form capable of producing a spring-like split tubular device comprising a tubular member of a selected outer diameter having two end edges, a boundary wall of uniform thickness, a longitudinal slit formed along the length of said tubular member defining a first and second longitudinal edge, each of said first and second longitudinal edge having curved end corners, and a chamber defined by said boundary wall and accessible from the two ends or through the longitudinal slit, wherein said end edges and said longitudinal edges are smoothly rounded to a radius equal to one-half the thickness of the boundary wall, said mold form comprising:(1) a mold cavity; and(2) a mold core piece;(c) injecting a selected quantity of the selected material at a selected temperature and pressure into the mold form;(d) molding for a selected period of time while the temperature of said mold cavity and said mold core piece is controlled within selected ranges;(e) removing said molded material from said mold form; and(f) permitting said molded material to cool and thereby cause said first longitudinal edge to overlap said second longitudinal edge and said curved corners to form scissor-like entry-ways at each of said ends of the split tubular device.