Vaginal insert method of manufacture

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9475671-B2
Application number	US-201314137855-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 20, 2013
Priority date	Dec 20, 2013
Publication date	Oct 25, 2016
Grant date	Oct 25, 2016

Abstract

A method of manufacture for a vaginal insert. The vaginal insert may have a core, a cover, and a removal element. In various embodiments, the cover can be conformed to the vaginal insert. The removal element can be attached to the cover during the method of manufacture of the vaginal insert utilizing a string and knot module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A string and knot module comprising:
a) a stringing module comprising:
i) a string block;
ii) a string block clamp located internal to the string block;
iii) a needle;
iv) a string pulling clamp mechanism; and
v) a string clamp associated with the string pulling clamp mechanism;

b) a knotting module comprising:
i) an upper knotting block;
ii) a lower knotting block; and
iii) a first funnel and a second funnel, each of the first and second funnels associated with the lower knotting block.

2. The string and knot module of claim 1 wherein the stringing module further comprises a source providing an air pressure differential.

3. The string and knot module of claim 1 wherein the stringing module further comprises a scissor assembly.

4. The string and knot module of claim 1 wherein the knotting module upper knotting block further comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and a center pin positioned within the upper portion of the upper knotting block.

5. The string and knot module of claim 4 wherein the upper and lower portions of the upper knotting block can move independently of each other.

6. The string and knot module of claim 1 wherein the knotting module lower knotting block further comprises an upper portion, a lower portion and a center pin positioned within the upper portion of the lower knotting block.

7. The string and knot module of claim 6 wherein the upper and lower portions of the lower knotting block can move independently of each other.

8. The string and knot module of claim 1 wherein the knotting module further comprises a string path associated with the lower and upper portions of the lower knotting block and the lower and upper portions of the upper knotting block.

9. The string and knot module of claim 8 wherein a portion of the string path associated with the upper knotting block is at a 90° angle relative to a portion of the string path associated with the lower knotting block.

10. A string and knot module comprising:
a) a stringing module comprising:
i) a string block;
ii) a string block clamp located internal to the string block;
iii) a needle;
iv) a string pulling clamp mechanism;
v) a string clamp associated with the string pulling clamp mechanism; and
vi) a pair of cover blank clamps;

b) a knotting module comprising:
i) an upper knotting block;
ii) a lower knotting block;
iii) a first funnel and a second funnel, each of the first funnel and second funnels associated with the lower knotting block; and
iv) a string pincher.

11. The string and knot module of claim 10 wherein the stringing module further comprises a source providing an air pressure differential.

12. The string and knot module of claim 10 wherein the stringing module further comprises a scissor assembly.

13. The string and knot module of claim 10 wherein the upper and lower portions of the upper knotting block can move independently of each other.

14. The string and knot module of claim 10 wherein the upper and lower portions of the lower knotting block can move independently of each other.

15. The string and knot module of claim 10 wherein the knotting module further comprises a string path associated with the lower and upper portions of the lower knotting block and the lower and upper portions of the upper knotting block.

16. The string and knot module of claim 15 wherein a portion of the string path associated with the upper knotting block is at a 90° angle relative to a portion of the string path associated with the lower knotting block.

17. A knot module comprising:
a) an upper knotting block comprising:
i) an upper portion;
ii) a lower portion;
iii) a center pin positioned within the upper portion of the upper knotting block;

b) a lower knotting block comprising:
i) an upper portion;
ii) a lower portion;
iii) a center pin positioned within the upper portion of the lower knotting block;

c) a string path associated with the lower and upper portions of the lower knotting block and associated with the lower and upper portions of the upper knotting block.

18. The knot module of claim 17 wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the upper knotting block can move independently of each other.

19. The knot module of claim 17 wherein the upper portion and the lower portion of the lower knotting block can move independently of each other.

20. The knot module of claim 17 wherein a portion of the string path associated with the upper knotting block is at a 90° angle relative to a portion of the string path associated with the lower knotting block.

Assignees

• Kimberly Clark Co

Inventors

• Adler Scott A
• Ainsworth Scott A
• Heleniak Tod W
• Tomac Brian Wayne

Classifications

• A61F2240/001

  Designing or manufacturing processes · CPC title

• B23Q3/00

  Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine (work-tables or other parts, e.g. faceplates, normally not incorporating means for securing work B23Q1/00; automatic position control B23Q15/00 {; food cutting boards A47J47/00; workpiece support for dies B21D37/02}; rotary tool heads for turning-machines B23B3/24, B23B3/26; non-driven tool holders B23B29/00; general features of turrets B23B29/24 {; drawbars in spindles B23B31/261; for electrical discharge machining B23H11/003; for welding B23K37/04; means for securing grinding wheels B24B45/00; mountings for abrasive wheels B24D5/16}; tools or bench devices for fastening, connecting, disengaging or holding B25B {; chucks for percussive tools B25D17/084; work benches for manual work B25H1/00; devices for securing circular saw blades B27B5/32; for assembling or manufacturing aircrafts B64F5/10; devices for holding circuit boards H05K13/0061; for holding semiconductors or wafers H10P72/00}) · CPC title

• A61F2/0095

  Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants (for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02) · CPC title

• A61F2/005 Primary

  with pressure applied to urethra by an element placed in the vagina · CPC title

• B65H69/04 Primary

  by knotting · CPC title