Patent ID: 6117259
Filing Date: 2000-09-12
Classification: B29C,B29K,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing a gel cushion, said method comprising the steps of:a) cooling a mold to a selected temperature;b) disposing a stretchable, porous fabric over the cooled mold;c) depositing a volume of gelable liquid onto the disposed fabric;d) applying a vacuum between the disposed fabric and the cooled mold in order to:i) cause the disposed fabric to stretch and open pores therein;ii) cause the gelable liquid to enter the open pores; andiii) cause the gelable liquid in the open pores to gelate by drawing the gelable liquid in the open pores toward the cooled mold, gelation of the gelable liquid occurring before the gelable liquid in the open pores reaches a side of the disposed fabric facing the cooled mold;e) allowing a remainder of the deposited volume of gelable liquid to gelate; andf) removing the gelated gelable liquid and deposited fabric from the mold in order to obtain a gel cushion.