Polymer gel molds

Abstract

A polymer gel is formed into a mold defining a preselected shape. A flowable composition may be formed into a preselected shape via contact with the polymer gel mold.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mold comprising a polymer gel body which defines a preselected shape so that a flowable composition may be formed into said preselected shape via contact with said mold.  
     
     
         2 . A mold in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said polymer gel further comprises at least one of the group consisting of a gel produced by vinyl polymerization of at least one monomer, a gel produced by condensation polymerization of at least one monomer, a gel produced from a solution of at least one naturally occurring polymer, and a gel produced from a solution of at least one synthetic polymer.  
     
     
         3 . A mold in accordance with    claim 2    wherein said polymer gel produced by vinyl polymerization of monomers comprises at least one of the group consisting of a gel made by polymerizing at least one monofunctional vinyl monomer and at least one multifunctional vinyl monomer, a gel made by polymerizing at least one multifunctional vinyl monomer, a gel made by polymerizing hydroxymethylacrylamide in H 2 O, and a gel made by polymerizing hydroxymethylacrylamide and a water-soluble comonomer in H 2 O.  
     
     
         4 . A mold in accordance with    claim 2    wherein said polymer gel produced by condensation polymerization of a monomer comprises at least one polymer system selected from the group consisting of epoxies, urethanes, phenolics, furans, and melamines.  
     
     
         5 . A mold in accordance with    claim 2    wherein said polymer gel produced from a solution of a natural polymer comprises at least one polysaccharide.  
     
     
         6 . A mold in accordance with    claim 5    wherein said polysaccharide comprises at least one of the group consisting of agar, xanthan gum, starch, and locust bean gum.  
     
     
         7 . A mold in accordance with    claim 2    wherein said polymer gel produced from a solution of a natural polymer comprises at least one protein.  
     
     
         8 . A mold in accordance with    claim 7    wherein said protein comprises at least one protein selected from the group consisting of gelatin and albumin.  
     
     
         9 . A mold in accordance with    claim 2    wherein said polymer gel produced from a solution of a synthetic polymer comprises at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of cellulose, a cellulose derivative, poly (vinyl alcohol), poly (acrylic acid), and poly (acrylamide).  
     
     
         10 . A mold in accordance with    claim 1    wherein said polymer gel body further comprises a reinforcement material.  
     
     
         11 . A mold in accordance with    claim 10    wherein said reinforcement material further comprises at least one of the group consisting of particles, plates and fibers.