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US 7,638,080 B2Granted
Forming composite structures
AssigneeTrysome Limited
InventorRobert Charles Backhouse
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is described for forming a composite article by placing a sheet of a pliable material in a mould, injecting particles into the mould so as to force the sheet of pliable material against the interior wall of the mould, and reinforcing the pliable material.
Claims13
A method for forming a composite article, comprising:
- placing a sheet of a pliable material in a mould, the mould having an interior wall and defining an enclosed mould void, and at least a portion of the sheet being spaced away from the interior wall of the mould;
- injecting elastically compressible particles into the mould so as to cause the sheet of pliable material to move at least in part, whereby said portion of the sheet being spaced away from the interior wall of the mould is forced outwards against the interior wall of the mould so as to conform to the shape of the interior wall of the mould;
- inhibiting the escape of gas from the mould while injecting the particles so that the pressure within the mould void tends to increase on injection of the particles, whereby the particles are compressed;
- after injecting the particles, allowing the pressure in the mould to fall whereby the particles may expand;
- reinforcing the pliable material;
- and
- emptying the particles from the mould.
4 more elements
A method for forming a composite article, comprising:
- placing a sheet of a pliable material in a mould, the mould defining an enclosed mould void;
- injecting elastically compressible particles into the mould so as to cause the sheet of pliable material to move at least in part, so as to conform to the shape of the interior wall of the mould;
- inhibiting the escape of gas from the mould while injecting the particles so that the pressure within the mould void tends to increase on injection of the particles, whereby the particles are compressed;
- after injecting the particles, allowing the pressure in the mould to fall whereby the particles may expand;
- reinforcing the pliable material;
- and
- emptying the particles from the mould.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.