The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 08, 1976
Filed:
May. 07, 1974
Leiv H Blad, Van Nuys, CA (US);
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, Burbank, CA (US);
Abstract
A method is disclosed for fabricating in a single stage hollow polymeric article of manufacture from a flexible fibrous material, regardless of the degree of complexity of the laminate. The material is applied to a hollow flexible envelope which includes a pattern of any degree of complexity and which is supported on a solid mandrel, to be encased in a two-part female die. The envelope and applied material are sealed off from the mandrel by means of film layers forming a bag. A vacuum is established within the bag, resulting in forces acting from the inner side of the envelope through it and the laminated material against the die walls. The support mandrel is removed, and the remaining assembly is cured under the vacuum with or without elevated pressures. After cooling, the die and envelope are readily removed from the article. The apparatus comprises the envelope, the support mandrel, impermeable sealing film for bagging the laminate, the tooling such as a female die or caul plates, means for establishing a vacuum on the bagged laminate and tooling, and optionally, means for turning the envelope and mandrel as the material is applied to the envelope pattern.