Patent ID: 8916073

Claim:
A method for forming a vacuum bag and using the vacuum bag for compacting a preform comprising: providing a substantially non-porous working surface having a desired shape of a vacuum bag; providing one or more design features on the working surface; spraying at least one layer of a natural rubber liquid over the substantially non-porous working surface; solidifying the at least one layer of natural rubber liquid to form a natural rubber membrane, the natural rubber membrane being elastically deformable, stretchable and substantially impermeable; wherein the shape and texture of the one or more design features is incorporated into the shape of the membrane; removing the natural rubber membrane from the substantially nonporous working surface for subsequent use of the natural rubber membrane; providing a substantially non-deformable base surface having a desired shape of a first surface of compacted preform; providing a preform on at least a portion of the base surface; sealing the preform between the base surface and the natural rubber membrane; removing air from between the base surface and the natural rubber membrane and drawing together the base surface, the preform, and the natural rubber membrane; deforming and stretching of the natural rubber membrane conforms the natural rubber membrane to one or more surface features of the preform, exerting a pressure upon the surface of the preform thereby imprinting the shape and texture of the design features onto the preform; and compacting the preform substantially to the desired shape of the compacted preform.