US4696294A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contraceptive device and related method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-08-31
•
Granted: 1987-09-29
•
Expires: 2001-08-31
Abstract
Abstract The outer convex surface of a contraceptive diaphragm is texturized in omnidirectional manner to simulate the ruggae of the vagina. The texturization takes various forms including concentric rings which can be regular or irregular or symmetrical arrangements of discrete projections.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin C. Reyner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A diaphragm or pessary comprising a flexible wall having a shape adapted for accommodation in a vaginal cavity and for capping the cervical os in said cavity, said wall having an at least generally convex outer surface, and means in the form of projections distributed on said surface generally therethroughout for providing a texture simulating the natural vaginal mucosa.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A diaphragm or pessary comprising a flexible wall having a shape adapted for accommodation in a vaginal cavity and for capping the cervical os in said cavity, said wall having an at least generally convex outer surface, and means in the form of projections distributed on said surface generally therethroughout for providing a texture simulating the natural vaginal mucosa.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wall has a center and said texture is formed at least generally symmetrically about said center in a polar sense.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 2, wherein said texture includes discrete projections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 3, wherein the discrete projections are generally conical in shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 2, wherein the texture is formed of at least generally concentric and circular ridges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are formed solely in said outer surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are formed both in said outer surface and in an inner surface included by said wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a resilient annular ring encircling and connected to said wall.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are of uniform width and height.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are of irregular width.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are of irregular height.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges have a height within a range of from about 1/2 to 21/2 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges have a width within a range of from about 1/2 to 21/2 mm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are spaced circles.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are continuous.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A diaphragm or pessary as claimed in claim 5, wherein said ridges are discontinuous.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
37 words
A method comprising improving the utility of a diaphragm or pessary having an outer convex surface by texturizing said surface, at least generally throughout the same, by forming projections on said surface simulating the natural vaginal mucosa.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
37 words
A method comprising improving the utility of a diaphragm or pessary having an outer convex surface by texturizing said surface, at least generally throughout the same, by forming projections on said surface simulating the natural vaginal mucosa.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said surface is texturized symmetrically in a polar sense.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the surface is texturized by molding therein discrete projections.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the surface is texturized by molding therein a concentric arrangement of ridges.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the ridges are regular.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the ridges are irregular.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-09-28 | 1991-03-30 | 1991-09-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-09-28 | 1995-03-30 | 1995-09-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-09-28 | 1999-03-30 | 1999-09-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |