A cage made of synthetic resin includes an annular body, a plurality of prongs, a plurality of gate marks formed away from each other in a circumferential direction, a weld formed between the gate marks adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of pocket forming portions that is each disposed between the gate marks and in which pockets are formed. Each of the pocket forming portions has a through hole formed through a bottom of the pocket in an axial direction. The weld is formed between the gate marks only in a region on one circumferential side of the through hole or only in a region on the other circumferential side of the through hole.

A balloon is disclosed for expanding an orifice. The balloon comprises a hollow body having a head. The body is closed at a distal end and open at a proximal end. The head extends from the distal end. The balloon also comprises a hollow neck positioned between the open proximal end and the distal end of the body. In the balloon, a wall thickness of the neck is greater than a wall thickness of the head. In a variation, the balloon can be configured such that, when the balloon is inflated, the head expands in a radial direction greater than in the longitudinal direction and a diameter of the body remains approximately constant during inflation. Also disclosed is a system for expanding an orifice. The system includes such a balloon and an inflation device for inflating the balloon. Also disclosed is a kit comprising the system and a container. Further, disclosed is a mould and a method for forming the balloon.

A hybrid pad system positioned between a missile and a launch tube is provided herein. The hybrid pad system includes an outer sheet and an inner sheet spaced from the outer sheet. A web region can be positioned between the outer sheet and the inner sheet. A restoration region can be positioned between the outer sheet and the inner sheet and tangentially offset from the web region. A support can be operably coupled with the inner sheet.

A sling pad system to be disposed between a missile and a launch tube is provided herein. The sling pad system includes an outer sheet and an inner sheet spaced from the outer sheet. A resilient structure is positioned between the outer sheet and the inner sheet. The resilient structure includes one or more structural elements operably coupled with the outer sheet at a first contact point and the inner sheet at a second contact point. A support is operably coupled with the inner sheet.