Patent ID: 8257964

Claim:
A method of molding an elastomeric part comprising: (a) preparing a mold having a surface coating; (b) dispensing an elastomer precursor over the coated mold; (c) placing a semi-rigid sheet on top of the elastomer precursor such that a first side of the sheet is in contact with the elastomer precursor; (d) at least partially curing the elastomer precursor; (e) permanently joining the semi-rigid sheet to the elastomer precursor; (f) removing the joined semi-rigid sheet and the at least partially cured elastomer from the mold; (g) forming one or more access holes through the semi-rigid sheet and into the molded elastomer; (h) bonding the surface of the elastomer opposite the semi-rigid sheet to a substrate; and (g) attaching a second side of the semi-rigid sheet to a structure for accessing the molded elastomer.