# US 2018/0021998 A1 · Method for improving a bite-safte artificial teat and like products > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0021998 A1 - Document ID: US20180021998A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/619,606 - Filed: 2017-06-12 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-21 - Inventors: Carr Lane Quackenbush - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180021998A1 ## CPC - B29C 45/14786: {Fibrous material or fibre containing material, e.g. fibre mats or fibre reinforced material} - A61J 11/0065: {for improving rigidity, e.g. anti-bite-through or anti-collapsing} - B29B 11/04: by assembling preformed material - B29B 11/14: characterised by structure or composition - B29C 49/071: {Preforms or parisons characterised by their configuration, e.g. geometry, dimensions or physical properties} - B29C 48/0021: {combined with joining, lining or laminating} - B29C 48/09: Articles with cross-sections having partially or fully enclosed cavities, e.g. pipes or channels - B29C 2045/14868: {Pretreatment of the insert, e.g. etching, cleaning} - B29C 2949/0715: the preform having one end closed - B29K 2083/00: Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material - B29K 2105/20: Inserts - B29L 2031/7412: {Dummy teats, pacifiers} - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - B29B: PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED; MAKING GRANULES OR PREFORMS; RECOVERY OF PLASTICS OR OTHER CONSTITUENTS OF WASTE MATERIAL CONTAINING PLASTICS - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A method of making an insert for a substantially solid cylindrical article that is constructed from a highly elastic material and braided fiber forming a mesh of very specific geometry, which supports any application that requires protection from cutting, puncture or similar damage while preserving high deformability of the article, particularly radial compressibility and/or axial elongation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making an insert for a substantially solid cylindrical article, the method comprising the steps of: extruding a core of silicone material; wrapping fibers to form a braided fiber mesh on the extruded core; forming an overcoat layer of silicone material over the braided fiber and core to form a core-braid-overcoat product; heat-curing the core-braid-overcoat product; and cutting the core-braid-overcoat product to produce the insert. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of extruding the core of silicone material is performed over a mandrel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of removing the mandrel after the step of extruding the core of silicone material, but before the step of cutting the heat-cured core-braid-overcoat product. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of: providing a mold comprising: a first mold part containing an interior cavity to form the substantially solid cylindrical article; a second mold part to close the first mold part; and a sprue extending from an outer surface of the mold to the interior cavity of the first mold part; placing the insert into the interior cavity of the first mold part; closing the first mold part and the second mold part; and injecting silicone material into the mold. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the core of the insert has a hardness in the range of Shore A 10 to Shore A 25. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the overcoat layer has a hardness in the range of Shore A 10 to Shore A 25. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the fibers have a higher tensile strength and elastic modulus than the silicone core and silicone overcoat layer of the insert, and wherein under a given applied stress, the presence of the fiber does not degrade elongation of the silicone core and silicone overcoat layer by more than 10%. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the fibers form a fiber mesh tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8 wherein the fibers of the fiber mesh tube are arranged at a pitch Pr that is determined according to Pr=π Dr√((1−1/X)/((X2−1)) in which Dr is the relaxed diameter of the fiber mesh tube and X is the fractional elongation at which the fiber mesh tube exhibits no tensile stress. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9 wherein the fiber mesh tube is a helically wound braid at ±15% of the pitch Pr for a specific diameter. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8 wherein the fibers are bonded at crossover points. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The method according to claim 8 wherein in the fibers form a diamond-pattern mesh. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A pacifier incorporating an insert made according to the method of claim 1. ### Claim 14 A method of making a nipple portion for a bite-safe artificial teat, the method comprising the steps of: forming an insert by; extruding a core of silicone material; wrapping fibers to form a braided fiber mesh tube on the extruded core; forming an overcoat layer of silicone material over the braided fiber mesh tube and core; heat-curing the core-braid-overcoat product; and cutting the core-braid-overcoat product to produce the insert; providing a mold comprising: a first mold part containing an interior cavity to form the substantially solid cylindrical article; a second mold part to close the first mold part; and a sprue extending from an outer surface of either the first mold part or the second mold part to the interior cavity of the first mold part; placing the insert into the interior cavity of the first mold part; closing the first mold part and the second mold part; and injecting silicone material into the mold via the sprue. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the first mold part includes a core pin extending into the interior cavity to form an axial duct through the bite-safe artificial teat. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, further comprising the steps of: injecting silicone material through the sprue to form a core of the nipple portion; and bonding an inside surface of the insert to a formed distal skirt of the nipple portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the interior cavity of the first mold part extends past the insert in a proximal and a distal direction and the injected silicone material forms a proximal end and a distal end of the nipple portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the injected silicone material has a hardness in the range Shore A 1 to Shore A 10. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the core of silicone material has a hardness in the range of Shore A 10 to Shore A 25 and the overcoat layer has a hardness in the range of Shore A 10 to Shore A 25. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the fibers comprise monofilament or multifilament material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) A bite-safe artificial teat having a nipple portion made according to the method of claim 14. ### Claim 22 A method for forming a cylindrical article including the steps of: providing a cylindrical silicone elastomeric material having a hardness in the range of Shore A 1 to Shore A 25; and imbuing the elastomeric material with a mesh to protect against biting or other damage; wherein the properties of the silicone material are not degraded when the silicone elastomeric material and mesh is stretched.