Image-bearing composite element and method of making same
First Claim
1. A composite article, comprising:
- a plurality of plies of composite material arranged atop one another in a stack and bonded together with a resin material, said stack including a layer disposed on at least one outer surface of said stack, said layer bearing an image, said image having been applied by a sublimation printing process prior to curing of the resin material in said stack of layers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A composite article includes a plurality of plies of composite material arranged atop one another in a stack and bonded together with a resin material, in which the stack includes a layer disposed on at least one outer surface of the stack, the layer bearing an image applied, prior to curing of the composite article, by a sublimation printing process. The layer preferably comprises a polyester material. The image preferably comprises a logo, identification information or any other representation of information or image depiction desired. The application of the image to the layer via sublimation printing results in the image having no height above said sheet. A process for fabricating the composite material article of the present invention includes a first step of forming a stack of plies made from “conventional” composite materials and a “conventional” resin material, a second step of disposing a layer of non-composite material over at least one surface of the stack of plies and incorporating the layer into the stack using the “conventional” resin material, the layer having an image formed on a surface thereof using sublimation printing facing away from said stack, and a third step of curing said stack.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A composite article, comprising:
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a plurality of plies of composite material arranged atop one another in a stack and bonded together with a resin material, said stack including a layer disposed on at least one outer surface of said stack, said layer bearing an image, said image having been applied by a sublimation printing process prior to curing of the resin material in said stack of layers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A process for fabricating an article of composite material, comprising:
a first step of forming a stack of plies made from composite materials and an uncured resin material, a second step of disposing a layer of non-composite material over at least one surface of said stack of plies and incorporating said layer into said stack using said uncured resin material, said layer having an image previously applied to a surface thereof using sublimation printing, said image facing away from said stack, and a third step of curing the resin in said stack. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. An uncured composite assemblage which when cured forms a composite element, said composite assemblage comprising:
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a plurality of plies of composite material arranged atop one another and an uncured curable resin material surrounding and infiltrating said plies, said plies and resin material forming a stack, and a fabric layer disposed on at least one outer surface of said stack, said layer bearing an image formed by sublimation printing, said curable resin also surrounding and infiltrating said layer. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification