Cushioning medallions, methods of making and methods of using

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to cushioning medallions, methods of making and methods of using, particularly cushioning medallions comprising a relatively low durometer viscoelastic polymer gel, for use on a bicycle seat.

1 . A bicycle seat cushioning medallion comprising:
 a first cushioning medallion and a second cushioning medallion constructed and arranged to be disposed in spaced apart relation on the bicycle seat;
 a third cushioning medallion disposed over the first cushioning medallion; 
 each of the first, second and third cushioning medallions comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) barrier layer, a polymerized gel layer, a removable stabilizing layer disposed adjacent to the polymerized gel layer and opposite the barrier layer, and a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) disposed between the polymerized gel layer and the stabilizing layer; 
 wherein the polymeric gel of the third cushioning medallion is adhered to an upper surface of the barrier layer of the first cushioning medallion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the TPE barrier layer is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer comprises a support layer, and the TPE is disposed on the support layer, adjacent to the polymerized gel. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the PSA is disposed on a support layer. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 4 , wherein the support layer is TPU. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , comprising a release agent disposed on a surface of the stabilizing layer adjacent to the PSA. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerized gel layer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , further comprising an active agent disposed in the barrier layer. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 8 , wherein the active agent is selected from the group consisting of silver, tolnaftate, undecenoic acid, allylamines, chlorine, copper, baking soda, sodium omadine, zinc omadine, azoles, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerized gel layer comprises a hardness ranging from about 30 Shore 000 to about 75 Shore 00. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , further comprising a fourth cushioning medallion disposed over the second cushioning medallion, wherein the polymeric gel of the fourth cushioning medallion is adhered to an upper surface of the barrier layer of the second cushioning medallion.