# US 11,305,499 B2 · Tool for curing a composite component > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,499 B2 - Document ID: US11305499B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/040,505 - Filed: 2016-02-10 - Published: 2016-08-18 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-12 - Assignees: Safran Seats GB Limited - Applicants: Safran Seats GB Limited - Inventors: Nicholas Potts; Bhaskar Biswas - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305499B2 ## CPC - B29C 70/543: {Fixing the position or configuration of fibrous reinforcements before or during moulding (for non-woven fabrics D04H3/08)} - B29C 70/342: {using isostatic pressure} - B29C 70/44: using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding - B29C 70/544: {Details of vacuum bags, e.g. materials or shape} - B29C 70/549: {Details of caul plates, e.g. materials or shape} - B29C 33/02: with incorporated heating or cooling means - B29C 33/306: {Exchangeable mould parts, e.g. cassette moulds, mould inserts (moulds with exchangeable mould parts for injection moulding B29C45/2673; mounting of exchangeable mould inserts for injection moulding B29C45/2675)} - B29C 70/68: by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers {, e.g. foam blocks (mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70)} - B29C 2033/023: {Thermal insulation of moulds or mould parts} - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 37/0046: {characterised by constructional aspects of the apparatus} - B32B 37/1018: {using only vacuum} - B32B 38/1808: {characterised by the laying up of the layers} - B32B 2605/18: Aircraft - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM ## Abstract The present invention provides a tool 1 for curing a composite component, the tool comprising a lay-up surface 8 for laying-up layers of an uncured composite component, a cover assembly 9 for moving in relation to the lay-up surface to cover a layed-up uncured composite component on the lay-up surface, the cover assembly comprising a sealable cover for sealing around the uncured composite component on the lay-up surface to form a sealed zone, and a vacuum port 25 for providing a vacuum to the sealed zone, wherein the tool further comprises at least one heating element 15, 53 within the sealed zone for heating the uncured composite component. The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a composite component and a composite component. The composite component may form at least part of a piece of aircraft furniture, such as an aircraft seat shell. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A tool for curing a composite component, the tool comprising: a lay-up surface for laying-up layers of an uncured composite component, wherein the lay-up surface has a tooling region provided with: a plurality of raised portions on the tooling region, wherein each raised portion of the plurality of raised portions comprises a chamber and a stud, the chamber being capable of housing the stud, each stud being a biased stud capable of attaching each raised portion to a corresponding attachment point on the tooling region by biasing the stud at the attachment point. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised portions on the tooling region are removable from the tooling region so as to aid laying-up of the composite component to the lay-up surface. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The tool as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of raised portions comprise an attachment device that projects outwardly from these raised portions in a direction away from the tooling region. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The tool as claimed in claim 3, wherein the plurality of raised portions on the tooling region are removable from the tooling region so as to aid laying-up of the composite component to the lay-up surface. ### Claim 5 A tool for curing a composite component, the tool comprising: a lay-up surface for laying-up layers of an uncured composite component, wherein the lay-up surface has a tooling region provided with: at least some raised portions, and a plurality of attachment points arranged for attaching the at least some raised portions on the tooling region, wherein for each of the at least some raised portions, the raised portion comprises a through-hole into which a tool can be inserted in order to pluck-out the raised portion from the tooling region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least some of the raised portions each comprise an attachment device that projects outwardly from each of the at least some of the raised portions in a direction away from the tooling region, and wherein each through-hole is provided in each attachment device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The tool as claimed in claim 5, wherein for each of the at least some the raised portions, the through-hole passes through the raised portion in a radial direction of the raised portion. ### Claim 8 A tool for curing a composite component, the tool comprising: a lay-up surface for laying-up layers of an uncured composite component, wherein the lay-up surface has a tooling region and wherein the tooling region is provided with: at least some raised portions, and a plurality of attachment points arranged for attaching the at least some raised portions on the tooling region, wherein for each of the at least some raised portions, the raised portion comprises an attachment device that projects outwardly from the raised portion in a direction away from the tooling region, wherein the attachment device is a split pin. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The tool as claimed in claim 8, wherein each attachment device is capable of being used to secure an insert in the composite component. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The tool as claimed in claim 8, wherein a split of each split pin is capable of being used to cut one or more layers of the uncured composite component. ### Claim 11 A tool for curing a composite component, the tool comprising: a lay-up surface for laying-up layers of an uncured composite component, wherein the lay-up surface has a tooling region and wherein the tooling region is provided with: at least some raised portions, and a plurality of attachment points arranged for attaching the at least some raised portions on the tooling region, wherein for each of the at least some raised portions, the raised portion comprises an attachment device that projects outwardly from the raised portion in a direction away from the tooling region, wherein the attachment device comprises a pluck-out hole. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The tool as claimed in claim 11, wherein each pluck-out hole is capable of receiving a tool to pluck-out each of the at least some of the raised portions from the tooling region.