Loading patent…
AssigneePolymer Innovations, Inc.
InventorsDan T. Moore, III, Deborah L. James, Maurice E. Wheeler, William H. Weber, James W. Hoover
Estimating the term…
A method of producing a custom-fitting article such as a custom-fitting footbed (for example, a removable insole), a custom-fitting hand grip, a custom-fitting body pad, and a custom-fitting orthopedic cast. A member for producing same and a composition for use in connection therewith are also provided. A member, such as a gel pad or gel-filled envelope, is provided which comprises a body of formable material having a minimum setting temperature greater than 130.degree. F. and being setable by heating for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and subsequent cooling. The member is conformed by biasing it against a body part of a person or mammal with sufficient pressure to conform the member to the shape of the body part. The member is then heated for a period not exceeding 30 minutes and thereafter cooled so that the formable material is set and the member remains flexible while resiliently retaining an impression of the body part. The composition preferably comprises uncured silicone rubber, an effect amount of crosslinking agent, and effective amounts of a) fine powder ethylene copolymer or terpolymer or a mixture thereof and b) liquid plasticizer.
A method of producing a custom-fitting article which conforms to the shape of a body part of a mammal, the method comprising the steps of:
A member for producing a custom-fitting article which conforms to the shape of a body part of a mammal comprising a body of formable material sealed inside a flexible container the formable material being a silicone gel comprising uncured silicone rubber, an effective amount of crosslinking agent, and effective amounts of a) fine powder (30 mesh maximum) ethylene copolymer or terpolymer or a mixture thereof and b) liquid plasticizer to form a gel effective to receive and retain an impression, said formable material being capable of remaining at room temperature without curing, said body of formable material having a minimum setting temperature greater than 130.degree. F. and being setable by heating for a period not exceeding thirty minutes and subsequent cooling, the member being adapted such that when the member is biased against the body part of the mammal with sufficient pressure, the member will conform to the shape of the body part and the body of formable material is capable of thereafter being set by heating for a period not exceeding thirty minutes followed by cooling so that the member remains flexible while resiliently retaining an impression of the body part and is capable of being utilized by the mammal as part or all of the custom-fitting article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.