Method of laminating plastic sheets
First Claim
1. The method of laminating a plurality of layers together comprising, selecting said layers to be laminated such that no more than one of said layers is gas impermeable, also selecting said layers such that at least one thereof is a layer of plastic powder and any other layers are pre-existing gas permeable thermoplastic film or sheet, placing said layers against one another to form an assembly, providing a gas release means on at least one side of said assembly, applying a fluid-like even pressure to said assembly by means of at least one flexible diaphragm which is positioned to exert pressure thereon when flexed by the application of positive or negative pressure thereto, heating said assembly sufficiently while under said fluid-like pressure to fuse said powder to form a continuous integrated ply, venting through said gas permeable layers of said assembly and through said gas release means any gases within or between the layers, said venting taking place at least in part during heating of said assembly, and continuing said heat and pressure for a time and at a temperature sufficient to laminate said layers together.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for laminating a plurality of plastic layers together is disclosed in which the lamination is carried out under heat and pressure with at least all but one of the layers being gas permeable in order that any gases within or between layers may be vented to the atmosphere during lamination under said heat and pressure. If desired, all of the layers may be gas permeable. One or more of the gas permeable layers may be plastic powder which meets and consolidates into a continuous, integrated ply during lamination.
58 Citations
4 Claims
- 1. The method of laminating a plurality of layers together comprising, selecting said layers to be laminated such that no more than one of said layers is gas impermeable, also selecting said layers such that at least one thereof is a layer of plastic powder and any other layers are pre-existing gas permeable thermoplastic film or sheet, placing said layers against one another to form an assembly, providing a gas release means on at least one side of said assembly, applying a fluid-like even pressure to said assembly by means of at least one flexible diaphragm which is positioned to exert pressure thereon when flexed by the application of positive or negative pressure thereto, heating said assembly sufficiently while under said fluid-like pressure to fuse said powder to form a continuous integrated ply, venting through said gas permeable layers of said assembly and through said gas release means any gases within or between the layers, said venting taking place at least in part during heating of said assembly, and continuing said heat and pressure for a time and at a temperature sufficient to laminate said layers together.
Specification