Patent ID: 6415631
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: A61M,B29C,B29K,B29L,C03B

Abstract:
A method of making an article from a formable material, the article having a cavity communicating with the exterior layer via an orifice, wherein a blank having an open end is mounted on a first forming tool, and the open end is engaged by a second forming tool while an end region of the blank adjacent the said open end is in a condition to be formed, the first forming tool having a pin extending therefrom, and said first tool and said second tool are brought together to form the said end region into a desired shape, with the pin defining the orifice, wherein the pin has a distal face, and the second tool has a distal face which, prior to forming, faces the distal face of the pin at a distance therefrom, and wherein during forming the said distal face of the pin and the said distal face of the second tool are brought into contact with one another, one of the pin and the distal face of the second tool being biased by a plunger which is slidably received within the first or second forming tool, wherein the pin extends from the first forming tool at the end of forming by a length equal to the intended length of the orifice.