Apparatus and Process for Manufacturing Shaped Plastic Reinforced Composite Articles
First Claim
1. A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of:
- deforming an intermediate form that consists essentially of a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members while clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and
optionally, at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of deforming an intermediate form (10), including a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members that are initially movable relative to each other, while displaceably clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and optionally at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article having a predetermined orientation of the elongated members. An apparatus including a press (32) for forming the shaped three-dimensional article is also disclosed.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of:
-
deforming an intermediate form that consists essentially of a plurality of thermoplastic elongated members while clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and optionally, at least partially consolidating the thermoplastic elongated members of the intermediate form for forming a three dimensional article. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21)
-
-
17. A process for forming a shaped three dimensional article, comprising the steps of:
-
deforming an intermediate form while clamping the intermediate form during the deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit; and at least partially consolidating the intermediate form; and optionally stamping the intermediate form in a secondary forming operation. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. An apparatus for forming a three-dimensional article, comprising:
-
a) a first tool for deforming an intermediate form at an elevated temperature; b) an optional second tool for stamping the intermediate form; and c) a holder for clamping the intermediate form during deforming in such a way that while a force is applied for deforming the intermediate form, the intermediate form is free to move within a predetermined limit. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification