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 comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) barrier layer, a polymerized gel layer disposed adjacent to the TPE layer, and a removable stabilizing layer disposed adjacent to the polymerized gel layer and opposite the barrier layer;   wherein the polymeric gel is adapted to be adhered to the bicycle seat upon removal or the stabilizing layer from the gel layer.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a second cushioning medallion comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) barrier layer, a polymerized gel layer disposed adjacent to the TPE layer, and a removable stabilizing layer disposed adjacent to the polymerized gel layer and opposite the barrier layer;   wherein the polymeric gel is adapted to be adhered to the bicycle seat upon removal or the stabilizing layer from the gel layer, and wherein the first and second cushioning medallions are constructed and arranged to be disposed in spaced apart relation on the bicycle seat.   
     
     
         3 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the polymerized gel layer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         4 . 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. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , further comprising an active agent disposed in the barrier layer. 
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . 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. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 7 , wherein the support layer is TPU. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) disposed between the gel layer and the removable stabilization layer. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 9 , comprising a release agent disposed on a surface of the stabilizing layer adjacent to the PSA. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 1 , wherein the TPE layer is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), silicone, and combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 2 , wherein the polymerized gel layer comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 12 , wherein the polymerized gel layer comprises a hardness ranging from about 30 Shore 000 to about 75 Shore 00. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle seat cushioning medallion of  claim 2 , further comprising an active agent disposed in the barrier layer.