Abstract: A cushion includes a cover and a cushioning element having a top surface heat-fused to the cover. The cushioning element comprises an elastomeric material having a plurality of voids formed therein. At least 60% of a bottom surface of the cushioning element is exposed such that when the cushion is disposed over a surface at least 60% of the bottom surface of the cushioning element is in direct contact with the surface. Methods of forming the cushion include disposing a cover adjacent a mold, conforming the cover to a selected shape of the mold, injecting molten elastomeric material into the mold, bonding the molten elastomeric material to the cover, solidifying the molten elastomeric material to form the cushioning element, and separating the mold from the cover. The cushioning element maintains the cover in the selected shape.

Abstract: Extractor systems for extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include an extraction roller, at least one track configured to support the extraction roller, and a trolley configured to carry the extraction roller from a first side of the mold toward a second, opposite side of the mold. Molding systems include a mold and an extractor system. Methods of extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include separating a first platen and a second platen, positioning an extraction roller between the separated first and second platens, engaging the article of manufacture with a row of teeth positioned along the extraction roller, and rotating the extraction roller to wrap the article of manufacture about the extraction roller.

Abstract: Extractor systems for extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include an extraction roller, at least one track configured to support the extraction roller, and a trolley configured to carry the extraction roller from a first side of the mold toward a second, opposite side of the mold. Molding systems include a mold and an extractor system. Methods of extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include separating a first platen and a second platen, positioning an extraction roller between the separated first and second platens, engaging the article of manufacture with a row of teeth positioned along the extraction roller, and rotating the extraction roller to wrap the article of manufacture about the extraction roller.

Abstract: Extractor systems for extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include an extraction roller, at least one track configured to support the extraction roller, and a trolley configured to carry the extraction roller from a first side of the mold toward a second, opposite side of the mold. Molding systems include a mold and an extractor system. Methods of extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include separating a first platen and a second platen, positioning an extraction roller between the separated first and second platens, engaging the article of manufacture with a row of teeth positioned along the extraction roller, and rotating the extraction roller to wrap the article of manufacture about the extraction roller.

Abstract: A pet cushion comprises a cushioning element including an elastomeric material layer and at least one foam layer coupled to the elastomeric material layer. The elastomeric material layer includes a plurality of intersecting buckling walls defining hollow columns therebetween. An interior cover, which is impermeable to liquid, encloses the cushioning element. An exterior cover encloses the first cover and the cushioning element. The exterior cover comprises a material different from a material of the interior cover.

Abstract: Extractor systems for extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include an extraction roller, at least one track configured to support the extraction roller, and a trolley configured to carry the extraction roller from a first side of the mold toward a second, opposite side of the mold. Molding systems include a mold and an extractor system. Methods of extracting a flexible article of manufacture from a mold include separating a first platen and a second platen, positioning an extraction roller between the separated first and second platens, engaging the article of manufacture with a row of teeth positioned along the extraction roller, and rotating the extraction roller to wrap the article of manufacture about the extraction roller.

Abstract: An insole for a shoe includes an insole body of elastomeric material having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface. A distance between the first major surface and the second major surface is between about 1 mm and about 10 mm. The elastomeric material defines a plurality of voids extending through the elastomeric material from the first major surface to the second major surface. Each void has a dimension between about 1 mm and about 3 mm in a plane parallel at least one of to the first major surface and the second major surface. A minimum distance between adjacent voids is between about 0.5 mm and about 3 mm. A shoe insole includes such a cushion. A method of forming an insole for a shoe includes providing an elastomeric material within a mold to form an insole body of elastomeric material.

Abstract: A cushion includes a cushioning element and a coating material provided on a surface of the cushioning element. The cushioning element includes an elastomeric material forming a plurality of intersecting buckling walls defining a plurality of hollow columns in an expanded form. The coating material includes stearic acid, a metal stearate, propylene glycol, and triethanolamine. The cushioning element is configured to be compressed, such as by a roll-packing machine, into the compressed form and subsequently released from the compressed form to transform to the expanded form. Methods of forming the cushion include forming the cushioning element comprising an elastomeric material, coating a surface of the cushioning element with the coating material, and compressing the cushioning element into a compressed form.

Abstract: A cushion includes a cover and a cushioning element having a top surface heat-fused to the cover. The cushioning element comprises an elastomeric material having a plurality of voids formed therein. At least 60% of a bottom surface of the cushioning element is exposed such that when the cushion is disposed over a surface at least 60% of the bottom surface of the cushioning element is in direct contact with the surface. Methods of foaming the cushion include disposing a cover adjacent a mold, conforming the cover to a selected shape of the mold, injecting molten elastomeric material into the mold, bonding the molten elastomeric material to the cover, solidifying the molten elastomeric material to form the cushioning element, and separating the mold from the cover. The cushioning element maintains the cover in the selected shape.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enclosure for artificial features such as artificial fish and artificial plants. The enclosure has one or more walls and is configured to house a liquid therein. One or more electromagnets are provided to generate a magnetic field within the enclosure. A controller is configured to control electric currents that generate magnetic fields from the one or more electromagnets. The controller is configured to selectively reverse the magnetic polarity of at least one of the one or more electromagnets. Also disclosed is an artificial feature such as an artificial fish or artificial plant with a body made of elastomeric gel. The artificial feature may include multiple permanent magnets housed in a body where the permanent magnets are aligned based on an orientation of a north pole and a south pole of each permanent magnet.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enclosure for artificial features such as artificial fish and artificial plants. The enclosure has one or more walls and is configured to house a liquid therein. One or more electromagnets are provided to generate a magnetic field within the enclosure. A controller controls electric currents that generate magnetic fields from the one or more electromagnets. The controller is configured to selectively reverse the magnetic polarity of at least one of the one or more electromagnets. Also disclosed is an artificial feature such as an artificial fish or artificial plant with a body made of elastomeric gel. The artificial feature may include multiple permanent magnets housed in a body where the permanent magnets are aligned based on an orientation of a north pole and south pole of each permanent magnet.

Abstract: Various gel springs can be constructed for cushioning purposes.

Abstract: Ribbed gel devices for cushioning purposes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enclosure for artificial features such as artificial fish and artificial plants. The enclosure has one or more walls and is configured to house a liquid therein. One or more electromagnets are provided to generate a magnetic field within the enclosure. A controller controls electric currents that generate magnetic fields from the one or more electromagnets. The controller is configured to selectively reverse the magnetic polarity of at least one of the one or more electromagnets. Also disclosed is an artificial feature such as an artificial fish or artificial plant with a body made of elastomeric gel. The artificial feature may include multiple permanent magnets housed in a body where the permanent magnets are aligned based on an orientation of a north pole and south pole of each permanent magnet.

Abstract: Gel cushioning elements may comprise a sheet of elastomeric gel. The sheet may be shaped and configured to define recesses aligned with and extending into corresponding protrusions. The protrusions are configured to buckle in response to a pressure greater than a threshold pressure. Methods of forming a gel cushioning element may comprise disposing elastomeric gel between two molds having elevated features to impart an alternating pattern to the elastomeric gel, and hardening the elastomeric gel to form a sheet defining a plurality of protrusions. Elevated features of one mold may face elevated features of the other mold, and each elevated feature of one mold may be adjacent an elevated feature of the other mold. A portion of the sheet may be configured to buckle in response to a pressure greater than a threshold pressure. A cushion may comprise a gel cushioning element and fabric bonded to the gel cushioning element.

Abstract: An alternating pattern gel cushioning device and methods for making the same. The gel pattern may be two- or three-dimensional. The devices may be zoned or stacked. The device may be made by a variety of methods including roller molding, open-face molding, injection molding, casting, extrusion, compression molding and other methods.

Abstract: Cushions include a plurality of core structures wherein each core structure of the plurality of core structures is interconnected along a length thereof to at least one other core structure of the plurality of core structures. Each of the core structures may be configured as a column having a column axis. The core structures may be connected by a joiner rib. The joiner ribs may be integrally formed with the core structures. Methods of forming cushions include forming a plurality of core structures and configuring each core structure to be interconnected along at least a portion of a length thereof to at least one other core structure.

Abstract: An alternating pattern gel cushioning device and methods for making the same. The gel pattern may be two or three dimensional. The devices may be zoned or stacked. The device may be made by a variety of methods including roller molding, open face molding, injection molding, casting, extrusion, compression molding and other methods.

Abstract: Methods for making foamed elastomer gels are disclosed. Chemical foaming agents may be incorporated or gas may be injected into a molten gel and then using heating and cooling techniques and/or additives, gas bubbles are formed and preserved in the cooled and solidified elastomer gel.