Patent ID: 9186858
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: A43B,B29C,B29D,B30B

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing an element, the method comprising: positioning a strand between a first layer and a second layer; locating the strand, the first layer, and the second layer between a first surface and a second surface of a press, the first surface and the second surface each being a substantially flat surface prior to compression of the press, the first surface including a first material, and the second surface including a second material, the first material having lesser compressibility than the second material; compressing the strand, the first layer, and the second layer between the first surface and the second surface, and heating the strand, the first layer, and the second layer to (1) bond the first layer to the second layer, and (2) bond the strand to at least one of the first layer and the second layer; and wherein upon compressing the strand, the first layer, and the second layer, the first surface is placed in contact with the first layer and the second surface is placed in contact with the second layer such that (a) the first layer extends into the first surface by an approximately uniform amount across the first layer and (b) portions of the second layer disposed over the strand extend into the second surface by a greater amount than remaining portions of the second layer that are not disposed over the strand.