Drip retainer

Abstract

The invention provides mandrels for producing elastomeric components such as mammary implants. Specifically, the invention provides mandrels that include a mold, a shaft attached to the mold, and a drip retainer attached to the shaft. The drip retainers disclosed herein are configured to catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) that run and/or drip off the mold and shaft, and to retain such fluids when the dipping mandrel is inverted. The invention also provides drip retainers that can catch and contain fluids (e.g., elastomeric compounds dispersed in solvents) when attached to a dipping mandrel, and can retain the fluids upon inversion of the dipping mandrel.

1 - 61 . Canceled  
     
     
         62 . A hollow device comprising: 
 (a) a top surface defining a first aperture, an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, and an opening positioned at a point along said inner perimeter, and    (b) a bottom surface defining a second aperture, wherein said second aperture opposes said first aperture,    wherein, when said device is positioned such that said first aperture is above said second aperture, said top surface slopes downward from said outer perimeter toward said inner perimeter.    
     
     
         63 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein the maximum distance across said first aperture is between about 2 millimeters and about 5 centimeters.  
     
     
         64 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein the maximum distance across said second aperture is between about 2 millimeters and about-5 centimeters.  
     
     
         65 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein said opening is adjacent to said first aperture.  
     
     
         66 . The hollow device of  claim 65 , wherein said opening is within about 3 centimeters of said first aperture.  
     
     
         67 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein said inner perimeter slopes toward at least one point along said inner perimeter, and wherein said opening is positioned at said at least one point.  
     
     
         68 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein said device comprises an inlet structure that protrudes from the underside of said top surface into the interior of said device.  
     
     
         69 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein said device bottom surface defines a second outer perimeter and a second inner perimeter, and wherein when said device is positioned such that said first aperture is centered above said second aperture, said bottom surface slopes downward from said second outer perimeter toward said second inner perimeter.  
     
     
         70 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein said device comprises a thermoplastic material or metal.  
     
     
         71 . The hollow device of  claim 70 , wherein said thermoplastic material is a polyolefin.  
     
     
         72 . The hollow device of  claim 71 , wherein said polyolefin is polypropylene, polyethylene, or polymethylpentene.  
     
     
         73 . The hollow device of  claim 70 , wherein said metal is aluminum, copper, or steel.  
     
     
         74 . The hollow device of  claim 62 , wherein said first and second apertures are adapted to receive a shaft, wherein said device collects fluid that enters said opening when said device is attached to said shaft and is in an upright position such that said first aperture is above said second aperture, and wherein said device retains substantially all of said collected fluid when said device is inverted from said upright position such that said second aperture is above said first aperture.