Contraceptive diaphragm with molded plastic rim

摘要

A contraceptive diaphragm has a cup-shaped body molded from a thermoplastic or thermosetting material, and a rim formed with the diaphragm body having a thickness and an inner core structure sufficient to provide a desired bending resilience for use of the diaphragm without any metal spring therein. The thermoplastic or thermosetting material is preferably a silicone rubber. In one embodiment, the rim is molded with a solid inner core structure with a circular cross-section of between 0.060 to 0.375 inch outer diameter. In another embodiment, the rim is formed by an outer layer molded around an inner core in the form of a plastic, injection- or compression-molded ring. The molded plastic ring is preferably made of an acetal plastic material with an outer diameter of between 0.040 to 0.250 inch. The plastic ring may have two or more cutout portions formed spaced apart along its circumference for defining flexing points on the diaphragm rim.