Polymer gel contact masks and methods and molds for making same

• US 20040247912A1
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Kim Enoch
• Original Assignee: Kim Enoch
• Inventors: Kim, Enoch
• Application Number:
  US10/884,492
• Publication Number:
  US 20040247912A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/500
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00644 the porous medium being present in discrete locations, e.g. gel pads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/023 having a plurality of grooves
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/3652 Elastic moulds or mould parts, e.g. cores or inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/405 Elastomers, e.g. rubber B29C33/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 35/02 Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing during moulding, e.g. in a mouldcold vulcanisation B29C35/18 ; vulcanising tyres, presses therefor B29D30/0601
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/021 characterised by the shape of the surface
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/10 Isostatic pressing, i.e. using non-rigid pressure-exerting members against rigid parts or dies
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/3642 Bags, bleeder sheets or cauls for isostatic pressing
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/0061 Gel or sol
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/256 Sheets, plates, blanks or films
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31663 As siloxane, silicone or silane
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31855 Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31938 Polymer of monoethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon

Abstract

The present invention relates to elastomeric contact masks, and methods of making these contact masks by complementary molding using complementary molds. The contact masks are made of polymer gels, including hydrogel materials. The complementary molds of the present invention include at least one elastomeric half mold. Also disclosed are methods of continuous complementary molding.

Claims

1-31. -31. (Canceled)

32. A method of complementary molding comprising the steps of

a) providing a complementary mold including first and second half molds each having molding surfaces, wherein the molding surfaces define a void when the first and second half molds are closed and wherein at least one of the first or second half molds is an elastomer,

b) introducing a polymerizable precursor,

c) closing the half molds, and

d) polymerizing the molding precursor.

33. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of separating the first and second half molds.

34. The method of claim 33 further comprising the step of removing the molded polymerized precursor from the half molds.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein one of the half molds is elastomeric.

36. The method of claim 32 further wherein one of the half molds has a release layer adjacent thereto.

37. The method of claim 32 wherein one of the half molds is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), silicones, polyurethanes, polyphosphazenes, and latex rubber.

38. The method of claim 32 wherein one the half molds is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and Teflon.

39. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of applying pressure to the closed mold.

40. A method of complementary molding comprising the steps of

a) providing a complementary mold including first and second half molds each having a molding surface, the molding surfaces defining a void there between, wherein the half molds close to form a void, and wherein at least one of the first or second components is an elastomer,

b) closing the half molds to form a void,

c) introducing a polymerizable precursor into the void after the mold surfaces form the void, and

d) polymerizing the molding precursor.

41. A method of continuous complementary molding comprising the steps of

a) providing a first half mold including a plurality of first molding surfaces adapted and arranged for moving the molding surfaces from an unprocessed position to a processed position,

b) providing a second half mold having a second molding surface, wherein the first and second molding surfaces form a void there between when closed

c) applying polymerizable polymer precursor to one of the molding surfaces in the unprocessed position,

d) closing the half molds,

e) polymerizing the polymer precursor, and

f) moving the molded polymer tot he processed position.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein at least one of the half molds is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), silicones, polyurethanes, polyphosphazenes, and latex rubber.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the one of the half molds is made from a material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and Teflon.

44. The method of claim 41 wherein a carrier film is disposed between the first and second half molds.

45. The method of claim 41 further comprising the step of applying pressure to the first and second half molds after forming the void.

46-52. -52. (Canceled)