Zip strips for molding of infused fiberglass products
AssigneeTPI Composites, Inc.
InventorKirk M. Baker
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of removing a vacuum bag from a composite mold. Removable strips are placed around the perimeter of the component parts and across the parts to create natural break points in the consumable materials used during manufacture of a composite product, e.g. wind turbine blade. The vacuum bag, and other consumable layers, are placed over the removable strip such that when the strips are pulled, the strip tears, in a controlled and complete manner, through each layer of consumables. This eliminates the need to use a knife/scissor to remove the finished product, thereby avoiding risk of injury.
Claims20
A method of removing a vacuum bag from a wind turbine blade mold comprising:
- forming a wind turbine blade component within a mold;
- providing at least one removable strips, the removable strip(s) disposed around at least a portion of the perimeter of a component part(s),
- disposing at least one consumable layer(s) above a removable strip;
- disposing a portion of a vacuum bag above a removable strip;
- pulling the removable strip, the pulling force tearing through the consumable layer(s) and the vacuum bag.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.