Patent ID: 8501260

Claim:
A method comprising: adding a mixture to a mold apparatus having a cavity; and baking the mixture in the mold apparatus until the mixture is form stable; wherein upon contact of the mixture with the surface of the cavity, a skin is formed on the outer surface of the mixture; and wherein the mold apparatus comprises: a cavity having a cavity inner surface; and a gap in communication with the cavity and the exterior of the mold apparatus for venting vapor or steam, wherein: the gap comprises a first portion which extends in a substantially continuous manner along the cavity inner surface, wherein the first portion has a width that is in a range from about 0.001 inches to about 0.030 inches and a length that is substantially greater than said width; the gap further comprises a second portion in communication with the first portion wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion; and the gap is configured such that vapor or steam is vented from the cavity without escape of a significant amount of the mixture from the cavity and without substantial clogging of the gap with material from the vapor or steam.