Method for incorporating a heating element in a composite structure

Abstract

A novel method of forming a heating element in a proper place on the surface of a composite, molded material made up of a multiplicity of layers of individual element where the elements are overlapped each other, suitably on a mandrel, until the composite article almost completely built up; the last element has a plastic strip disposed on the surface thereof which will be the outermost surface of the molded article, and on the surface of this plastic strip, which is directed away from the rest of the composite article, there is disposed at least one printed resistance circuit in such position(s) as to provide heating coverage for so much of the surface of the composite article as is required. This composite article is then molded, suitably by compression, to form the desired final article with the heating circuit on an exposed surface. If desired, suitable electric cables can be attached to the heating circuit. In the final product, the heating circuit does not extend above the surface of the composite article to any appreciable extent, if at all.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.