Immersion Curing Process
a technology of silicone sheets and curing processes, applied in the field of art of curing thin silicone sheets, can solve the problems of difficult temperature control, silicon layer devolatilization, and not yet cured into a permanent form
Inactive Publication Date: 2016-05-12
NUSIL TECH
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- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
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Benefits of technology
The invention is a system and method for efficiently curing thin dipped silicone elastomer shells by immersing them in a hot liquid bath. This process results in a fully cured shell much faster than traditional methods, as it does not require a convection oven or IR system. The method also eliminates the need to remove the silicone shell from the mandrel before curing.
Problems solved by technology
After the shell has been formed, the silicone layers, while devolatilized, are not yet cured into a permanent form.
Alternatively, infrared heat transfer has been used effectively, but temperature control is challenging and safe time cycles are typically over 1 hour.
Method used
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[0027]Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which like reference numerals indicate like or corresponding elements among the several figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 an embodiment of the invention wherein a mandrel 10 is dip coated with a liquid material 15, such as, for example, silicone elastomer base, that is dripped or sprayed onto the mandrel from delivery assembly 20. Excess liquid material 15 may be caught in basin 25. Alternatively, the mandrel may be dipped into a bath of the liquid material, or the shell may be formed on or in a mold.
[0028]The liquid material will then typically be exposed to a stream of air (not shown) to devolatilize solvent in the applied liquid material. The mandrel may then be again exposed to the delivery assembly 20 again to form an additional layer of material on the mandrel. These steps are repeated until a desired thickness of the shell has been achieved.
[0029]When the prosthesis shell is a desired thickness, as depicted in FIG. 2, the mand...
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Abstract
A system and method for manufacture of prosthesis shells using a hot liquid bath to cure the shells is described. The shell is formed on a mold or mandrel, and is then immersed in a hot liquid bath to cure the shell material. Multiple layers of material, such a silicone, may be formed by immersing the layer into a hot liquid bath, cooling the cured layer, applying another layer of uncured material to the cured layer, and then curing the uncured layer in a hot liquid bath. A textured surface may be imparted to the shell by incorporating a texture component into the last layer formed, such that immersing the uncured layer incorporating the texture component in the hot liquid bath cures the last layer formed and dissolves the texture component.
Description
BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention is directed to the art of curing thin silicone sheets. More particularly, the invention is directed to a method of curing the silicone elastomer shell of a dip formed breast prosthesis.[0002]Various methods have been employed to manufacture breast prostheses by dip forming and curing a silicone outer shell, and then filling the cured shell with saline, gel or other material. The shell is typically formed by dipping a mandrel into a bath of solvent dispersed silicone, and then devolatilizing the solvent from the applied layer of silicone elastomer after the dipping process. Additional layers of silicone, having the same or different properties, may be built up on the mandrel. For example, a base layer will be deposited, followed by a barrier layer, and then followed by another finishing layer.[0003]After the shell has been formed, the silicone layers, while devolatilized, are not yet cured into a permanent form. Curing is typically carried out in...
Claims
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Patent Timeline
Login to View More IPC IPC(8): C23C2/04C23C2/26
CPCC23C2/26C23C2/04B29K2083/005B29L2031/7532B29C35/041B29C41/003B29C41/14B29C2059/028A61F2/12A61F2240/00B29C2035/042
Inventor WINN, R. ALASTAIRPASKO, NOLAN
Owner NUSIL TECH