Method for producing a solid

Abstract

An apparatus and method for producing a solid product such as orthopedic appliances, dental splint mouthpieces, dentures, lined dentures and the like from flowable materials such as silicones, acrylics, polyurethanes and dental casting investments. The container in which an article is treated will develop 80-100 psi and has opposed curved surfaces between which a seal is formed without leakage.

1 . A method of producing a solid product without air bubbles comprising the steps of:
 providing a body of flowable material with air bubbles   pressurizing said body of flowable material at a pressure of above about 50 psi for a selected time interval sufficient to drive out air bubbles from said material as said material is changed from a flowable state to a solid state.   
   
   
       2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said pressure is between about 80 psi to 100 psi. 
   
   
       3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said flowable material is heated during pressurizing to reduce the time interval for pressurizing. 
   
   
       4 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said time interval is between about 20 minutes to thirteen hours depending on the flowable material. 
   
   
       5 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said body of flowable material is immersed in water in said container during said pressurizing to provide equal pressure on all sides of the said material during pressurization. 
   
   
       6 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said body of flowable material includes silicones, acrylics, polyurethanes and dental investments. 
   
   
       7 . A method for producing a solid product without air bubbles comprising the steps of:
 providing a body of flowable material with air bubbles, said body of flowable material is immersed in water in said container during said pressurizing to provide equal pressure on all sides of the material being treated,   pressurizing said body of flowable material including silicones, acrylics, polyurethanes and dental casting investments at a pressure between about 80 psi and 100 psi for a selected time interval sufficient to drive out air bubbles from said material as said material is changed from a flowable state to a solid state.