Patent ID: 7160498

Claim:
A mold component configured for use with a base mold in a closed molding process to form a fiber-reinforced composite part, the mold component comprising: a flexible body structure including a perimeter region and an interfacing surface, at least a portion of said interfacing surface configured to contact said part disposed on said base mold, and said flexible body structure having integrally formed therewith: at least one resin distribution channel extending across the interfacing surface and at least one vacuum distribution channel; a perimeter seal extending from said body structure for sealing engagement with said base mold to enclose the part between said body structure and said base mold and wherein said perimeter seal defines at least a portion of said vacuum distribution channel; and at least one vacuum output port in fluid communication with each of said vacuum distribution channel and said perimeter seal vacuum distribution portion thereby providing a first vacuum along said seal to assist said sealing engagement and an independent second vacuum across said interfacing surface to assist resin distribution between said body structure and said base mold.