Urisheath Injection Molding with Venting and Silicone Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing urisheaths, such as dipping in latex or thermoplastic solutions, face issues with skin compatibility, plasticizer migration, and difficulty in controlling wall thickness, leading to potential biological and environmental concerns, as well as time-consuming and inefficient production processes.
Innovation Solution
An injection molding method using a machine with a mold featuring an annular cavity and venting area, allowing precise control of wall thickness, where silicone material is injected, cured, and removed efficiently to produce a high-quality, thin-walled urisheath with features like a push rim and roll rib, eliminating air entrapment and ensuring uniform filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If dipping method is used to produce urisheath, then production time is reduced, but wall thickness control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of the manufacturing process from dipping to injection molding. This allows precise control of wall thickness through the injection molding process parameters while maintaining efficient production. The mold design with controlled cavity dimensions enables consistent wall thickness that cannot be achieved with the dipping method.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thermoplastic material is used, then skin compatibility is improved, but plasticizer migration causes biological safety issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter from thermoplastic to silicone elastomer. This material substitution eliminates the plasticizer component entirely, as silicone elastomers do not require plasticizers for processing. The material maintains good skin compatibility while removing the source of plasticizer migration that causes biological safety issues.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If silicone material is dipped to produce urisheath, then skin friendliness is improved, but production time increases and wall thickness control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical dipping process with an injection molding process. This substitution dramatically reduces production time because the material is injected directly into the mold cavity in a controlled manner, eliminating the need for repeated dipping and curing cycles. The injection molding process also provides precise wall thickness control through the mold design.
4Ease of manufacture
If cavity is filled with material, then product formation is achieved, but air entrapment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention incorporates venting channels in the mold cavity before the injection process. These vents are pre-positioned to allow air to escape during material injection, preventing air entrapment. The venting system is integrated into the mold design, enabling smooth material flow and complete cavity filling without trapping air pockets in the product.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method enables the production of thin-walled, high-quality urisheaths with controlled wall thickness, improved skin friendliness, and reduced environmental impact, while minimizing production time and avoiding plasticizer-related issues, resulting in a more durable and comfortable product.
Implementation Method 1
curing by heating said injected material in said cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A method and injection machine for producing a hollow product, such as a urisheath, use of the method for producing a urisheath as well as the urisheath. The machine comprises an annular cavity for receiving a silicone material. The material is injected in a cold state via a coldrun nozzle (20) and cured by heat in the cavity. The cavity has a narrow cross-sectional area over a substantial portion of the cavity and the cavity is connected to a venting area (13). The cavity has an annular enlarged portion (18) at the proximal portion of the cavity, arranged adjacent said inlet (24) and a groove (14) at the distal portion of the cavity. The narrow cross-sectional area has a decreasing radial dimension towards the distal portion of the cavity. The surface of the cavity is grit blasted.