Patent ID: 8764425

Claim:
A mold configured for making a membrane having a reinforcement annulus configured to be received within a flow control system for use with a micropump, the mold comprising: a female body portion having (a) a cylindrical elongate lower portion extending along an axis and having a diameter D, and (b) a centered, concave upper face having a diameter D that substantially equals the diameter D of the lower portion and having a radius of curvature R, the upper face being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongate lower portion and extending therefrom; a male body portion having (a) a cylindrical elongate upper portion having a lower terminus and extending along an axis, the upper portion having a diameter substantially equal to D, (b) a central cylindrical portion having a height H and extending outwardly from the lower terminus along the axis of the upper portion, the central portion having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter D minus an annular width G of a spacing gap on each side; (c) a centered, convex lower face having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter D minus the annular width G of the spacing gap on each side, a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature R of the upper face and being oriented substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the elongate upper portion; and a body portion support member having a generally elongated, tubular configuration, the body portion support member configured to receive at least a portion of the female body portion and at least a portion of the male body portion, so that the axis of the lower portion and the axis of the upper portion are aligned, whereby the convex face and concave face are positioned cooperatively to effect manufacture of the membrane having the reinforcement annulus configured to be received within the flow control system for use with the micropump.