# US 2008/0185754 A1 · Method and apparatus for molding composite articles

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- Number: US 2008/0185754 A1
- Document ID: US20080185754A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/009,636
- Filed: 2008-01-18
- Published: 2008-08-07
- Earliest claimed: 2007-01-19
- Assignees: VEC Industries, L.L.C.
- Inventors: John Wirt; Jay Hood
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20080185754A1

## CPC

- B29C 70/48: and impregnating the reinforcements in the closed mould, e.g. resin transfer moulding [RTM] {, e.g. by vacuum}
- B29C 70/443: {and impregnating by vacuum or injection}
- B29C 70/46: using matched moulds, e.g. for deforming sheet moulding compounds [SMC] or prepregs
- B29K 2101/10: Thermosetting resins
- B29K 2709/08: Glass
- 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)
- B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS

## Abstract

A method of molding a composite article includes providing a first floating mold that has a fluid backing, wherein the fluid defining the fluid backing is stored in a fluid chamber positioned beneath the first floating mold, providing a second non-floating mold that does not include a fluid backing, and sealing the first floating mold to the second non-floating mold to define a molding chamber thereinbetween.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of molding a composite article comprising:
providing a first floating mold that includes a fluid backing, wherein the fluid defining the fluid backing is stored in a fluid chamber positioned beneath the first floating mold;
providing a second non-floating mold that does not include a fluid backing; and
sealing the first floating mold to the second non-floating mold to define a molding chamber thereinbetween.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein resin is injected into the molding chamber defined between the first and second molds.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2, further comprising keeping the fluid pressure in the fluid chamber at atmospheric pressure during the injection of the resin.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the non-floating mold is manufactured from a semi-rigid material.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A method according to claim 4, wherein the non-floating mold is manufactured from fiberglass.

### Claim 6 (depends on 4)

A method according to claim 4, wherein the non-floating mold is manufactured from flexible metal.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, wherein the non-floating mold is manufactured from a polymeric sheet.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method according to claim 7, wherein the polymeric sheet includes nylon.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

A method according to claim 7, wherein the polymeric sheet has a thickness of about 8 mils.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2, further comprising using vacuum to draw resin through the molding chamber.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2, wherein the fluid in the fluid chamber is heated.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A method according to claim 1, further comprising providing fiber glass reinforcement material in the first floating mold prior to sealing the first floating mold to the second non-floating mold.