Panel structure
First Claim
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1. An interior panel structure of a transportation vehicle, comprising:
- a first panel formed at least partially of a plastic material;
a second panel formed at least partially of a porous material, the second panel being an outer panel that is closer to a body of the transportation vehicle than the first panel while the first panel is closer to an interior cabin of the transportation vehicle; and
an activatable material intermediate the first panel and the second panel, the activatable material softens, expands, and cures upon exposure to heat;
wherein a volume is defined between the first panel and the second panel and wherein the activatable material when activated, fills from about 5% to about 90% of the volume, andwherein the interior panel structure, when assembled and in use, provides at least one functional attribute selected from reinforcement, baffling, sound absorption, sound attenuation, baffling or sealing.
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Abstract
A panel structure and a method of forming the panel structure are disclosed. The panel structure typically includes at least one panel associated with a material. The panel structure has been found particularly advantageous for use as an interior panel of an airplane.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An interior panel structure of a transportation vehicle, comprising:
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a first panel formed at least partially of a plastic material; a second panel formed at least partially of a porous material, the second panel being an outer panel that is closer to a body of the transportation vehicle than the first panel while the first panel is closer to an interior cabin of the transportation vehicle; and an activatable material intermediate the first panel and the second panel, the activatable material softens, expands, and cures upon exposure to heat; wherein a volume is defined between the first panel and the second panel and wherein the activatable material when activated, fills from about 5% to about 90% of the volume, and wherein the interior panel structure, when assembled and in use, provides at least one functional attribute selected from reinforcement, baffling, sound absorption, sound attenuation, baffling or sealing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of forming an interior panel structure of a transportation vehicle, comprising:
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providing a first panel formed at least partially of a plastic material, the first panel being an inner panel at least partially defining an interior cabin of the transportation vehicle; providing a second panel formed at least partially of a porous material, the second panel being an outer panel that is closer to a body of the transportation vehicle than the first panel; locating an activatable material that softens, expands, and cures upon exposure to heat and a support intermediate the first panel and the second panel; and exposing the activatable material to an elevated temperature for activating the activatable material to expand and form a foam whereby the interior panel structure, when assembled and in use, provides a functional attribute selected from reinforcement, baffling, sound absorption, sound attenuation, baffling or sealing to the panel structure, wherein a volume is defined between the first panel and the second panel and wherein the activatable material when activated, fills from about 5% to about 90% of the volume. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification