Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of shaping a body of thermoformable material containing continuous filaments comprising selecting a thermoplastic polymeric material having a minimum forming temperature which is no less than, and is preferably greater than the minimum temperature at which the thermoformable material of the reinforced body can be formed, contacting at least one surface of the reinforced body with the thermoplastic material, heating the reinforced body and a body of the thermoplastic material to a temperature at which the thermoplastic can be formed and applying a differential pressure, between opposite sides of the assembly of thermoplastic body and thermoformable body to induce a desired shaping of the reinforced thermoformable body and cause rearrangement of the filaments relative to each other, and adhering the thermoplastic body to the thermoformable body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
128 words
A method of shaping a body of thermoformable material containing continuous filaments comprising selecting a thermoplastic polymeric material having a minimum forming temperature which is no less than, and is preferably greater than the minimum temperature at which the thermoformable material of the reinforced body can be formed, contacting at least one surface of the reinforced body with the thermoplastic material, heating the reinforced body and a body of the thermoplastic material to a temperature at which the thermoplastic can be formed and applying a differential pressure, between opposite sides of the assembly of thermoplastic body and thermoformable body to induce a desired shaping of the reinforced thermoformable body and cause rearrangement of the filaments relative to each other, and adhering the thermoplastic body to the thermoformable body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method of shaping a body according to claim 1 wherein the differential pressure applied is a fluid pressure of less than 10 atmospheres.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
23 words
A method of shaping a body according to either of claims 1 or 2 in which the thermoformable material is a thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of shaping a body according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which at least one sheet of thermoplastic material becomes integral with the reinforced body as a result of the conditions used in the method of shaping.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
23 words
A method of shaping a body according to either of claims 1 or 2 in which the thermoformable material is a thermosetting polymer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of shaping a body according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the body of thermoformable material comprises an assembly of strips of continuous, collimated, fibres impregnated with thermoformable resin laid up to provide multidirectional reinforcement.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
25 words
A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the strips are of reinforced thermoplastic resin and are consolidated together before shaping.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
31 words
A method of shaping a body according to any one of claims 1 to 7 in which the article is formed whilst it is contained between two sheets of thermoplastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method of shaping a body according to claim 6 wherein the thermoformable body is supported by being contained within the periphery of the pair of sheets, the sheets being restrained about their peripheries, and the body being unrestrained between the sheets whereby the application of differential pressure between opposites of the assembly of sheets urges the thermoformable body into a desired shape and permits reorganisation of the fibres within the body.