Patent ID: 8591796

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a cured composite article, comprising: (i) providing a molding apparatus comprising: (a) an elastic layer disposed on a rigid support, (b) a mold disposed on the elastic layer and the support, wherein the mold comprises an inner surface, the inner surface further comprising a molding surface, and wherein a first surface of the elastic layer and the inner surface of the mold define a molding chamber; (ii) disposing a prepreg in the molding chamber such that the prepreg is disposed in contact with the first surface of the elastic layer; (iii) providing a fluid via a fluid inlet against a second surface of the elastic layer after step (ii), thereby expanding the elastic layer against the inner surface of the mold, and pushing the prepreg against the molding surface of the mold to form a molded composite article; and (iv) curing the molded composite article in the molding chamber to form a cured composite article.