# US 12,179,442 B2 · Method for forming a fibre article > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,442 B2 - Document ID: US12179442B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/632,188 - Filed: 2020-07-31 - Published: 2022-09-08 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-08-02 - Assignees: McLaren Automotive Limited - Applicants: McLaren Automotive Limited - Inventors: Stephen Belcher - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179442B2 ## CPC - B29C 70/44: using isostatic pressure, e.g. pressure difference-moulding, vacuum bag-moulding, autoclave-moulding or expanding rubber-moulding - B29C 35/02: Heating or curing, e.g. crosslinking or vulcanizing {during moulding, e.g. in a mould}(cold vulcanisation B29C35/18 {; vulcanising tyres, presses therefor B29D30/0601}) - B29C 35/041: {using liquids} - B29C 70/54: Component parts, details or accessories; Auxiliary operations {, e.g. feeding or storage of prepregs or SMC after impregnation or during ageing} - B29C 70/542: {Placing or positioning the reinforcement in a covering or packaging element before or during moulding, e.g. drawing in a sleeve} - B29C 2035/0211: {resistance heating (B29C2035/0811 takes precedence)} - B29L 2031/3055: {Cars} - 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) - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract A method for forming a fibre article, the method comprising: locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the preform comprising a heat-activatable binder; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; positioning a first heater plate in contact with the first diaphragm; positioning a second heater plate in contact with the second diaphragm; drawing a vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate so as to increase the contact between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate; releasing the vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate; and drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate so as to increase the contact between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for forming a fibre article, the method comprising: locating a fibre preform between a first diaphragm and a second diaphragm, the preform comprising a heat-activatable binder; drawing a vacuum between the first and second diaphragms so as to hold the preform captive between the diaphragms; positioning a first heater plate in contact with the first diaphragm whilst the preform is held captive between the diaphragms; positioning a second heater plate in contact with the second diaphragm whilst the preform is held captive between the diaphragms; whilst the first heater plate is in contact with the first diaphragm and the second heater plate is in contact with the second diaphragm, drawing a vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate so as to increase the contact between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate; whilst the first heater plate is in contact with the first diaphragm and the second heater plate is in contact with the second diaphragm, releasing the vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate; and whilst the first heater plate is in contact with the first diaphragm and the second heater plate is in contact with the second diaphragm, drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate so as to increase the contact between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, the method comprising releasing the vacuum between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, the method comprising positioning the first heater plate so that the first heater plate is not in contact with the first diaphragm. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method according to claim 2, the method comprising positioning the second heater plate so that the second heater plate is not in contact with the second diaphragm. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the first heater plate comprises moving the first heater plate and/or the first diaphragm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein positioning the second heater plate comprises moving the second heater plate and/or the second diaphragm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, the method comprising: providing a mechanism for moving the second heater plate laterally; and performing the positioning of the second heater plate by laterally moving the second heater plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the contact between the first heater plate and the first diaphragm causes heat transfer from the first heater plate to the fibre preform. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method according to claim 8, wherein increasing the contact between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate increases the heat transfer from the first heater plate to the fibre preform. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method according to claim 1, wherein the contact between the second heater plate and the second diaphragm causes heat transfer from the second heater plate to the fibre preform. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A method according to claim 10, wherein increasing the contact between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate increases the heat transfer from the second heater plate to the fibre preform. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibre preform comprises multiple sheets of fibre material laminated into a stack. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the or each sheet of fibre material is a sheet of woven fibre material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibre preform has a variable thickness, and the positioning of the first and second heater plates in contact with the diaphragms causes the first and second heater plates to contact those parts of the diaphragms adjacent thick parts of the fibre preform. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein drawing a vacuum between the first diaphragm and the first heater plate increases the contact between the first diaphragm and first heater plate in those parts of the diaphragm adjacent thin parts of the fibre preform. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the second heater plate increases the contact between the second diaphragm and second heater plate in those parts of the diaphragm adjacent thin parts of the fibre preform. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising: mechanically displaying the diaphragms relative to a former so as to bring a part of the second diaphragm adjoining the preform into partial conformity with the former; drawing a vacuum between the second diaphragm and the former so as to increase the conformity between the said part of the second diaphragm and the former; and setting the preform in its configuration. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the diaphragms are elastic. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preform is part of a structural part of a vehicle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the preform is part of a structural part of an automobile and the structural part is an automobile tub.