Silicone Elastomer Surface Texturing Using Complementary Polymeric Film

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for applying textures to silicone elastomers are complex, messy, require additional steps, and can damage the surface or embed materials, making them unsuitable for certain applications.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a polymeric film with a complementary texture is used to apply a texture to a silicone elastomer by curing it in contact with the film, then removing the film to expose the desired texture on the surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If dissolvable granules or powder are used to texture the silicone elastomer surface, then a textured surface can be achieved, but the process becomes messy and requires additional steps of dissolving and drying

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface texture qualityVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the texture transfer function from complex chemical processes (dissolving granules, drying solvents) and isolates it to a simple polymeric film that physically imprints the texture during curing, eliminating unnecessary process steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a polymeric film that copies the desired texture pattern onto the silicone elastomer surface during curing, creating an accurate texture replica without requiring dissolution or chemical removal steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If open cell foam or mesh polymeric fabric is embedded into uncured silicone elastomer, then texture can be created, but harsh solvents are required and special protective equipment is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface texture qualityVSAvoidharsh solvent exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disposable polymeric film that is removed after texture transfer, eliminating the need for harsh solvents and protective equipment while achieving the same texture creation goal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the chemical mechanism (solvent dissolution) with a mechanical imprinting process where the polymeric film physically transfers texture during silicone curing, eliminating harmful chemical exposure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If fabric is removed from partially cured silicone elastomer, then texture can be revealed, but perfect timing is required to avoid embedding or distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface texture qualityVSAvoidtiming precision requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the texture pattern to the silicone surface during the curing process itself, before final set, ensuring the texture is locked in at the optimal moment without requiring separate timing operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If a textured mold is used repeatedly, then production efficiency is maintained, but the texture becomes prone to damage or wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidtexture durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a disposable polymeric film for each molding cycle, discarding it after use, which protects the permanent mold surface from texture wear while maintaining consistent texture quality across multiple productions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method provides a reliable and straightforward way to apply textures to silicone elastomers without the need for mold release agents, reduces surface damage, and eliminates handling complexities, ensuring consistent texture application.

Implementation Method 1

The uncured silicone elastomer is cured while it is in contact with the at least one side of the polymeric film so as to form a cured silicone elastomer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Photopolymerisation

Data Source

PatentUS20260027760A1Surface Texturing of Silicone Elastomer Using Polymeric Bags

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 AMERICAN BREAST CARE LP

AI summary

In a method of applying a desired texture to a surface of a silicone elastomer, an uncured silicone elastomer is applied to at least one side of a polymeric film. At least one side of the polymeric film has a complementary texture that is complementary in shape to the desired texture. The uncured silicone elastomer is cured while it is in contact with the at least one side of the polymeric film so as to form a cured silicone elastomer. The polymeric film is removed from the cured silicone elastomer so as to expose the desired texture on the surface thereof. The flexible polymeric film can be a bag placed into a breast prosthesis mold. The bag includes at least one interior surface with the complementary texture. The bag is removed from the cured silicone elastomer to expose the breast prosthesis having a textured surface.