Method and apparatus for reinforcing a hot shaped shell

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for reinforcing an object or article essentially comprising a hot-shaped shell, and more particularly to reinforcing a hot-shaped thermoplastic resin sheet with a resin/glass fibre laminate. According to the invention there is provided a method for reinforcing an article or object which essentially comprises a hot-shaped shell, comprising supporting a surface of the shell on an elastically deformable pad intimately matable therewith, placing a mould part having a working surface of shape complementary to the other surface of the shell so that a free space is formed between the mould part and the shell, injecting a reinforcing resin into the free space and then demoulding the thus-reinforced shell. According to the invention there is also provided an apparatus for carrying out the method, comprising an elastically deformable pad adapted to support (and intimately matable with) a surface of a hot-shaped shell, a mould part complementary to the shape of the other surface of the shell, and means for injecting resin under pressure into the free space formed between the mould part and the shell when in assembled position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.