Continuous method of making a three dimensional sail
AssigneeNorth Sails Group, Inc.
InventorWilliam J. Slyne
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A three dimensional sail of one piece construction is made on a rotating roll having a deformable outer surface. The roll is divided into a large number of segments, extending across the width of the roll, with the convex profile of each segment being adjustable. A sail is made on the roll on a continuous basis by applying a first layer of film, deforming the film on the roll, applying adhesive and reinforcing the yarns, and applying a second layer of film to form a 3-D laminate.
Claims13
Method for making a three dimensional flexible laminate, said method comprising the steps of applying a base film layer to a rotating roll having adjacent sectors, deforming said adjacent sectors across the roll to deform successive profile segments of said base film into a three dimensional shape, applying adhesive and reinforcing elements to said base film, and applying a top film layer over said base film layer while on said roll to form a laminate.
The method of continuously making a three dimensional sail, said method comprising the steps of applying a base film layer to a rotating roll having an outer surface, continuously deforming said surface and said film in contiguous sectors across said roll to obtain a curved profile in said base film, applying reinforcing elements and adhesive to said base film while being maintained in said curved profile, providing a top film layer having a shape matching the curved profile, and then laminating said top film layer to said base film layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.