Abstract: Cushioning elements include a breathable material configured to allow gases to pass through at least a portion thereof, and a plurality of discrete segments of thermoplastic elastomeric gel (“gel”) heat-fused or otherwise attached to the breathable material. The gel comprises an elastomeric polymer and a plasticizer, with a plasticizer-to-polymer ratio of from about 0.3 to about 50. The plurality of discrete segments defines at least one breathable gap between adjacent discrete segments. Methods of forming cushioning elements include forming a plurality of discrete segments of gel, securing each segment to a breathable material, and providing a gas path through the breathable material and between adjacent segments. Another method includes providing molten gel within a mold, providing at least a second portion of the gel within a permeable material, and solidifying the gel to form discrete segments of gel.

Abstract: An insert configured to modify an appearance of a breast comprises a flexible bladder comprising a gelatinous elastomer and a flowable material disposed within the flexible bladder. A bra may comprise at least one insert and a shell configured to cover the breast and the at least one insert. An underwire comprises an elongated body comprising an elastomeric material having a Shore A durometer hardness of about 1 or greater. A shell may be connected to the underwire and configured to cover a breast. A method of forming a bra comprises forming an underwire and securing the underwire to a shell. Another method of forming a bra comprises forming a flexible bladder comprising a gelatinous elastomer, disposing a flowable material within the flexible bladder to form an insert, and securing the insert to a shell.

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: A gelatinous elastomer comprising an A-B-A triblock copolymer and a plasticizer useful, for example, in casting fine-detail molds at a low processing temperature. The gelatinous elastomer comprises copolymer molecules having a molecular weights generally evenly distributed across a range of molecular weights rather than having a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution centered about a single molecular weight. The A-B-A triblock copolymer may include SEBS, SEEPS, or other triblock copolymers. The plasticizer may include mineral oil or other plasticizing fluids.

Abstract: Cushions include a plurality of core structures and a support material at least partially surrounding each core structure of the plurality of core structures. The core structures and support material comprise different deformable polymer materials. Each of the core structures may be configured as a column having a column axis. Methods of forming cushions include forming a plurality of core structures, and at least partially surrounding each core structure of the plurality of core structures with a support material comprising a second, different deformable polymer material. The core structures may be configured such that each core structure is integrally interconnected along a length thereof to no more than two other core structures of the plurality of core structures.

Abstract: Cushions include a plurality of pockets formed from a support material and a deformable member comprising a deformable polymer material disposed in each pocket of the plurality of pockets. The support material may comprise at least one of a fabric and a film. Each of the deformable members may be configured as a column having a column axis. Methods of forming cushions include forming a plurality of deformable members, forming a plurality of pockets from a support material, and disposing each of the deformable members of the plurality of deformable members in each of the pockets of the plurality of pockets. The deformable members may be configured so that each of the deformable members is isolated from the other deformable members by the support material.

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: Mattress foundations, mattress foundation kits, and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mattress foundation kit may include four frames, corner members, at least one interior support member, and at least two deck panels. Each frame may include a first elongated member, a second elongated member, and a connective structure coupling the first elongated member to the second elongated member. Each corner member may be configured to couple a first end of an elongated member of a frame of the four frames to a second end of an elongated member of another frame. At least two frames may be configured to support an end of the at least one interior support member. Additionally, each deck panel may be sized and configured to extend at least partially over at least one frame of the four frames and the at least one interior support member.

Abstract: A screed mold method for continuously or periodically molding thermoplastic material into a cushioning element is disclosed.

Abstract: Stacked cushions, cushioning elements thereof, materials and processes for making the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A cushion that includes a cushioning element. The cushioning element has a number of substantially parallel elongate columns formed in a soft, easily deformable elastic or visco-elastic cushioning media. The columns are configured so that when a force is applied to the cushioning element in a direction that is generally parallel to the longitudinal axes of the columns, the cushioning element will yield by compressability or deformability of the cushioning media, bucklability of the walls of the columns, or a combination of both. In particular, the walls of columns which are located beneath a protruberance on an object being cushioned tend to buckle, permitting the cushioning element to conform to the shape of the cushioned object while evenly distributing a supporting force across the contact area of the cushioned object and avoiding pressure peaks. The preferred cushioning media is a gelatinous elastomer or gelatinous viscoelastomer.

Abstract: Bubble solutions containing invert sugar are disclosed. The bubbles are long-lasting bubbles which can be produced by children at play. Components in the bubble formulation may include a water soluble polymer, invert sugar, surfactants, water, and vegetable syrup.

Abstract: Grippable cushioning devices which may be used as cushions, squeezables, toys, throwable toys, and novelty items are disclosed. Some of those devices include holes therein which may provide a relief function in that the holes may buckle or collapse when squeezed. The holes may be generally parallel longitudinal columns which may permit air flow therethrough when the grippable cushioning device is thrown.

Abstract: Toys and balls are disclosed having a skin and a core of somewhat dissimilar materials. The skin and core are of different colors. When the toy is squeezed, the non-liquid deformable core presses against at least a portion of the skin, making the skin thin at that point and permitting the color of the core to show through, creating the appearance of a color change of the toy.

Abstract: Methods for using biaxially stretched polyester as a photo-receptive layer for dye sublimation printing are disclosed. Two-sided sublimation printing on polyester is achieved.

Abstract: Cushions and cushion elements with non-intersecting-columnar elastomeric members exhibiting compression instability are disclosed. The cushions and cushion elements may be made from gelatinous elastomer materials. The cushions and cushion elements have application in a variety of fields, including foot care products, seat cushions, mattresses and mattress overlays for consumer and medical applications, carry straps, sports injury prevention, orthopedics, vibration dampeners for electrical and electronic equipment, shock absorbers and others.

Abstract: Jelly pens are disclosed that may use a unitary elongate pen body made from an elastomer gel, the pen body having a longitudinal bore for insertion of an ink reservoir and writing tip therein. The use of elastomer gel for the entire pen body may provide a more desirable gripping surface on the pen and can provide a pen with a soft, floppy feel during use.

Abstract: Various edibles, their compositions, and manufacturing methods therefore are disclosed. Some examples of the edibles include orally soluble films. Some of the films may have a pleasant taste, carry nutraceuticals, carry medication, or serve other purposes.